The Atlanta Falcons' search for quarterback talent is a year-round endeavor, and with the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon, the process has taken the front office to some unexpected places. According to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Falcons recently completed a pre-draft visit with one of this cycle's more intriguing under-the-radar prospects: MSU-Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand.
The visit places Strand on a short but notable list of quarterback prospects the Falcons have evaluated in person ahead of the draft. Perhaps just as telling is the company the Falcons are keeping in their evaluation. The NFL South division rival Carolina Panthers have also conducted a visit with the Division II standout, signaling that Strand's raw tools and potential have captured the attention of multiple NFL decision-makers.
For the Falcons, under the guidance of General Manager Ian Cunningham and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, these visits represent the foundational work of roster building. While the team's immediate quarterback situation may appear settled with veterans like Kirk Cousins, the NFL's relentless calendar demands constant forward-thinking. Evaluating every available talent, from blue-chip prospects to diamonds in the rough like Strand, is a non-negotiable part of the job. It's a philosophy that has seen the Falcons unearth valuable contributors from smaller schools in recent years, and it's a process they are clearly continuing with vigor.
So, who is Jack Strand, and why are two NFC South teams spending valuable pre-draft time on him?
Hailing from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Strand operated in the relative obscurity of Division II football. Yet, within that environment, his physical attributes screamed for attention. Scouts who have made the trip to Moorhead, Minnesota, or poured over his game tape come away with one consistent first impression: arm talent. Strand is reported to possess a powerful, live arm capable of making every NFL throw. He can drive the ball into tight windows down the seam and has the pure velocity to challenge defenders on deep out routes. In an era where offensive schemes increasingly push the ball vertically and into contested areas, that kind of innate throwing power is a coveted starting point.
His college production tells the story of a player who carried his offense. In his final season, Strand put up prolific numbers, routinely surpassing 300 yards through the air and demonstrating a fearless, gunslinger mentality. He was the unequivocal centerpiece of the Dragons' attack, tasked with willing the team to victory week in and week out. That experience in shouldering the load and operating as the focal point of an offense is intangible data that NFL teams weigh heavily, especially for quarterbacks coming from a lower level of competition.
However, the jump from Division II to the NFL is a monumental one, and Strand's evaluation is a classic case of weighing tantalizing upside against the significant refinement required. The concerns are the standard ones for a small-school prospect: the level of competition faced, the complexity of the offensive system he operated, and the speed of the game he will need to immediately adjust to. His footwork, pocket presence, and consistency in reading defenses will be under a microscope during any private workout or visit. Teams like the Falcons aren't just looking at the throws he can make; they are meticulously assessing his processing speed, his coachability, and his ability to translate his physical gifts to a vastly more complex and faster-paced environment.
The Falcons' interest, specifically, is fascinating to contextualize. The team has invested heavily in the quarterback position in recent seasons, and the depth chart currently features established veterans and promising backups. A player like Strand would not be viewed as an immediate challenger for a starting role. Instead, his potential fit would be as a developmental, high-ceiling project. He is the quintessential "draft and develop" candidate--a player with clear physical tools that a coaching staff believes they can mold over one or two seasons on a practice squad.
For offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and the offensive staff, a prospect with Strand's arm strength offers a captivating clay to sculpt. The focus would be on harnessing that power with improved mechanics, ingraining NFL-level concepts and protections, and accelerating his mental development. The goal would be to see if the raw talent can be polished into a reliable NFL passer over time. This approach allows a team to use a late-round draft pick or priority free-agent resources on a player with a first-round arm, betting on their development program to bridge the gap in experience.
The shared interest with the Carolina Panthers adds a layer of intrigue to the pre-draft narrative. The Panthers, like the Falcons, are in a constant state of evaluating quarterback talent. That two division rivals identified the same small-school prospect for a top-30 visit suggests Strand's stock may be quietly rising in league circles. It creates a minor subplot for draft weekend: if Strand's name remains on the board in the later rounds, which team will pull the trigger? It's a small chess move in the larger rivalry, a bet on future potential that could pay dividends years down the line.
For Jack Strand, the visits with Atlanta and Carolina are life-changing validations. They are proof that the hours of work in Moorhead, throwing in the cold Minnesota air, have been seen. The pre-draft process is his opportunity to prove he belongs. In meeting rooms at Flowery Branch and in Carolina, he will be quizzed on football IQ, his leadership qualities, and his willingness to learn. On the field, he will be asked to demonstrate that his impressive arm talent can be consistent and accurate against air, and eventually, against professional-level defenders.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Falcons have done their due diligence on one of the class's more intriguing wild cards. The meeting with Jack Strand may not headline their draft strategy, but it is a perfect example of the thorough, leave-no-stone-unturned approach required to build a sustainable winner. Whether Strand ever takes a snap for Atlanta is unknown, but his invitation into the building signifies that the Falcons' scouting net is wide, and their search for the next great quarterback--wherever he may be hiding--never truly ends.