Falcons Interview Top QBs C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson; 'Went Very Well'

The Atlanta Falcons have had positive conversations with two of the 2023 NFL Draft's best quarterback prospects while at the Combine.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith have expressed confidence in Desmond Ridder as their quarterback ... but they've yet to make a commitment.

And now, the Falcons are beginning to dabble in the quarterback market of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Speaking at the NFL Combine, top prospects C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) and Anthony Richardson (Florida) both confirmed that they've had formal interviews with the Falcons, who are only allotted 45 such meetings in Indianapolis.

Fontenot has dubbed the 20-minute interview process as "speed dating," but added that it's a critical part of Atlanta's evaluation and one of the reasons why the team drafted Ridder last year.

So, how did the interviews go? Here's what Stroud and Richardson said ...

"It went very, very well," said Stroud, who met Fontenot, Smith and offensive coordinator Dave Ragone. "Had a great interview with them. They were real fiery in there. They were kind of like big kids - they were kind of cool, but at the same time asking really good questions and being very honest. I appreciated that."

Added Richardson: "That was actually a great interview. They asked me how fast I was going to run in the 40 and if I was faster than (Falcons tight end) Kyle (Pitts). I had to brag on myself a little bit and told them that I’m definitely faster. If Kyle sees this, I’m sorry ... But that was a great interview.”

Stroud was described by NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah as the "purest thrower" of the entire class, while Richardson's upside is considered to be limitless.

Jeremiah added that he's not sure any of the top four quarterbacks - Stroud, Richardson, Alabama's Bryce Young and Kentucky's Will Levis - will get to Atlanta's pick at No. 8 overall ... but oddsmakers and one NFL Network insider believe the Falcons could move up to No. 1 overall.

Will it be for a quarterback? Fontenot didn't rule out the idea of drafting a signal caller when speaking Tuesday.

"We're never going to put ourselves in a corner, we're always leaving every door open," Fontenot said. "So again, a lot of draft, free agency, whether it's the eighth pick or whether it's at some other point in the draft, we could definitely bring in a quarterback."

Fontenot added that his team will add a quarterback this offseason, but whether Atlanta ultimately goes that route in the first round remains to be seen.

Nonetheless, the Falcons are doing plenty of work on the quarterbacks - is it due diligence or is there real interest?

That question will be answered in the coming months ... but in the eyes of Stroud and Richardson, they put their best foot forward and may have just left their mark on Fontenot, Smith and the rest of Atlanta's staff.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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