Atlanta Falcons (Last Year: 7-10)
NFL Draft Team Grade:
MILLEN GradeGoals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Falcons eschewed all the quarterback prospects in this class by signing Kirk Cousins. The former Viking quarterback gives Atlanta a legitimate chances to make a deep run into the playoffs. There are still some issues, however, and most of them apply to the defensive side of the ball. The Falcons must improve their pass rush and cornerback group so they can battle the top offenses of the NFC.
2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: “The Falcons eschewed all the quarterback prospects in this class by signing Kirk Cousins.” Yeah, so much for that. Atlanta made an inexplicably horrible decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. over Laiatu Latu at No. 8 overall. Giving Cousins a nine-figure deal indicated that the Falcons knew they are ready to win now. However, it seems as though they also want to build for the future. Having one foot in often leads to failure. Some will point out the “No Cookie” Jordan Love situation in Green Bay, but the Packers sabotaged a potential earlier Super Bowl victory by not giving Aaron Rodgers a weapon like Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk. The Falcons will have similar failures in the playoffs without a talented edge rusher like Latu.
This was the beginning of a disastrous weekend for the Falcons. They followed up the awful Penix pick by needlessly trading for Ruke Orhorhoro. This was one of a few reaches the Falcons made. Five of their eight picks graded as a C+ or worse. Two were failures.
Atlanta easily had the worst draft class of all the teams in the league. The team ruined its chances of winning when it had a golden opportinity to strengthen the current roster with a dynamic edge rusher. When the team can’t stop Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff or Brock Purdy come January, they can point to this weekend as to why they ended up losing.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
8. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons – MILLEN Grade
Wow, the Falcons screwed this up. Why did they sign Kirk Cousins if they had plans to draft Michael Penix? Why draft Penix if they spent so much money on Cousins? By signing Cousins, they were going all in, but now they’re building toward the future? It makes no sense. This is an example of a bad owner meddling when he shouldn’t.
35. Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson – MILLEN Grade
Oh, man. The Falcons are not having a great draft. I tweeted that someone who knows Kirk Cousins very well told me that Cousins is “legit pissed,” but won’t make a stink about it because he’s a nice guy. If Cousins knows anything about the draft, he’ll be even angrier because this is not good value. Ruke Orhorhoro is not a reach, but he wasn’t worth trading a third-round pick for either. The Falcons don’t seem to understand how to use their resources.
74. Bralen Trice, DE, Washington – B Grade
The Falcons finally get their pass rusher after foolishly passing on Laiatu Latu. Bralen Trice is someone we had earlier in our mock ahead of the 2023 season, but he had a disappointing year. Perhaps the Falcons are buying low with him.
109. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon – A+ Grade
The Falcons need to find as many talented defensive linemen as possible. Brandon Dorlus is definitely talented, as he’s someone I consistently had on Day 2 of my mock draft. This is a steal.
143. JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame – B+ Grade
JD Bertrand improved his draft stock in 2023 when showing improved coverage skills. He’s a tackling machine who should play two downs in the NFL at the very least. This is a solid pick, as Bertrand could have easily gone a round earlier.
186. Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama – C+ Grade
If Arthur Smith were still with the Falcons, he’d use Jase McClellan over Bijan Robinson. The Falcons have a crowded backfield, but McClellan is a solid value in the sixth round, as he could have gone in the fourth. However, I would have liked to have seen the Falcons strengthen other areas.
187. Casey Washington, WR, Illinois – C- Grade
The Falcons needed receiver depth, but they could have gotten someone better than this. Casey Washington was a UDFA prospect, so he shouldn’t have been taken this early.
197. Zion Logue, DT, Georgia – C Grade
Zion Logue was a backup at Georgia, so why is he being drafted in the sixth round? He was seen mostly as a UDFA, so this is a reach.
Season Summary:
The Falcons had a chance to win the division, but the incompetent Arthur Smith ruined things by leaning on lesser-talented players. Smith was correctly dismissed, so the Falcons will be better coached in 2024.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Quarterback: Desmond Ridder was a huge liability last year. The Falcons desperately need to find a better quarterback somehow. Signed Kirk Cousins
- Two Defensive Ends: The Falcons have had a big weakness at edge rusher for a long time. Calais Campbell helped last year, but he and Bud Dupree are impending free agents.
- Two Wide Receivers: Drake London is an excellent receiver, but Atlanta has nothing else at the position. Signed Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore
- Two Cornerbacks: A.J. Terrell is a terrific cornerback, but he’s the only viable player the Falcons have at the position. A new starter is needed across from him, and help is needed in the slot.
- Safety: Another safety should be acquired to play next to Jessie Bates.
- Guard: Atlanta has one weakness on the offensive line, which is at guard.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2024 NFL Free Agent Signings:
Atlanta Falcons Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
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