Could Atlanta Falcons Select Oregon's Bo Nix as Kirk Cousins' Successor?

Despite the free-agent signing of Kirk Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons could still select a quarterback in the NFL Draft.

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws down field against Oregon State during the second quarter at Autzen / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

The Atlanta Falcons finally put their quarterback questions to bed this offseason with the free-agent signing of Kirk Cousins. However, at 35 years old, Cousins won’t be the long-term answer for the Falcons. 

Combine Cousins’ age with the Achilles injury he is working back from this offseason, and it’d make sense why the Falcons could take a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. Pro Football Network projects this in their latest mock draft, as they have the Falcons taking Oregon’s Bo Nix with the No. 43 overall pick.

“Kirk Cousins has proven two things in his career: He can make generational wealth by putting up regular-season stats, and he is a non-factor in the postseason,” Pro Football Network writes. “Is Bo Nix a starting-caliber QB? I have my concerns, but the Falcons need a succession plan.”

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws down field against Oregon State during the second quarter at Autzen / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

While the Falcons have seemingly been showing interest in Washington’s Michael Penix, as they reportedly sent a “sizeable group” of team personnel to watch the Huskies’ quarterback workout on Friday, this mock draft has him going off the board before Atlanta could get him. PFN has the Tennessee Titans selecting Penix at No. 38 overall before the Falcons turned to Nix. 

Nix, the now former Oregon Duck, is no stranger to the Southeast. He played high school football in Pinson, Alabama, before starting his college career at Auburn. Despite being a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, Nix’s time at Auburn came with mixed reviews. Following a promising freshman season, during which he led them to a win in the "Iron Bowl" versus the Alabama Crimson Tide, he struggled for consistency in the years after.

That was before he transferred to Eugene for the final two years of his college career, where he played his best football. The former five-star prospect lived up to the billing in his two years a Duck, as he threw for 8,101 yards, 74 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions in 27 games. 

Just this past season, Nix earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors, beating out Penix after throwing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, in addition to 253 yards and six scores with his legs. 

The Falcons landing Nix with the 43rd pick is right where The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler has the Oregon product ranked (No. 37) in his latest top-100 prospects big board.

“He gets in trouble when he plays loose with his technique and his eyes speed up on him, but Nix has a good arm, understands where to go with the football, and his scrambling can give defenses fits,” Brugler writes of Nix.

The NFL Draft is set for April 25-27.