NEWSLETTER
The 2024 NFL Draft was supposed to be a turning point for the Atlanta Falcons. I couldn’t imagine anyone giving a positive Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Grade after what we witnessed. With the 8th overall pick, hope fluttered in the hearts of Dirty Bird fans. Instead, what unfolded was a series of head-scratching decisions that left analysts bewildered and the fanbase in despair. This draft, devoid of a clear strategy and rife with questionable selections, earns a resounding F.
Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Grade
NFL Draft grades aren’t always accurate since we are only working based on the information we can project, nothing in hindsight. With that being said, the Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Grade was fairly simple for me.
Atlanta Falcons 2024 Draft Picks
Round 1 • Pick 8 (8) • QB Michael Penix Jr.
Round 2 • Pick 3 (35) • DT Ruke Orhorhoro
Round 3 • Pick 10 (74) • OLB Bralen Trice
Round 4 • Pick 9 (109) • DT Brandon Dorlus
Round 5 • Pick 8 (143) • LB JD Bertrand
Round 6 • Pick 10 (186) • RB Jase McClellan
Round 6 • Pick 11 (187) • WR Casey Washington
Round 6 • Pick 21 (197) • DT Zion Logue
Don’t miss out on the fantasy football winners and losers from the first round of the NFL Draft! There were some surprises according to our analysts.
The Penix Perplexity
The Falcons, fresh off signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, used their golden opportunity on… Michael Penix Jr., a QB out of Washington. While Penix has potential, he’s a project at best. He has four season-ending injuries in his career and struggled against good competition in the National Championship game. That came despite having Rome Odunze (9th overall selection) and Ja’Lynn Polk (37th pick) at wideout along with a rock-solid offensive line that saw multiple players get drafted.
The Falcons GM and owner have discussed how they want a “succession plan” for Cousins. Yet they signed Cousins to a four-year deal that they can’t get out of until 2026. This means that Michael Penix likely will not even see the field for meaningful playing time until his Age 26 season. It pushes a potential franchise QB years down the road, leaving the Falcons in a perpetual state of “almost.”
This was incredibly disappointing after it seemed like the Falcons were going all in. They have the best team in the NFC South this year and a legitimate chance at a playoff run with the help of some defense. Instead of taking an impact player like Laiatu Latu or Dallas Turner 8th overall, they opted to select a quarterback.
Defensive Line Delusions:
While addressing the defensive line was a need, the Falcons went overboard. Drafting three defensive tackles in the first four rounds feels like trying to plug a leaky dam with boulders. Sure, Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus have potential, but where’s the immediate impact? The Falcons will once again be relying on weak defenders to outperform their billing. The redundant selection of Zion Logue in the 6th round further underlines this puzzling strategy.
Missing the Mark on Needs:
The Falcons’ secondary, a glaring weakness for years, remained largely untouched. With zero cornerbacks drafted, they’re gambling on unproven options to fix a major problem. The offensive line, another area of slight concern, received a late-round flier on a receiver (Casey Washington.
Lost in the Backfield Shuffle
Jase McClellan, a talented running back, landed in the 6th round. This pick isn’t inherently bad, but it raises questions. Is he supposed to compete with Bijan Robinson an Tyler Allgeier? Bijan is plenty capable as a pass-catcher while Allgeier is a great grinder to complement him.
Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Grade: A Bleak Landscape
The future for the Falcons appears foggy. They gambled on a QB they might not need and neglected glaring holes on defense. This draft lacked vision and prioritized long-term projects over immediate impact. While there might be hidden gems in this class, the overall strategy appears to be a recipe for continued mediocrity.
Falcons fans deserved better. This draft wasn’t a step forward, it was a stumble into uncertainty. The hope is that the players drafted can defy the odds, but for now, the 2024 Atlanta Falcons draft is a resounding F. The wait for a contender in Atlanta continues.
Don’t miss out on the fantasy football winners and losers from the first round of the NFL Draft! There were some surprises according to our analysts.
