Mock Draft Rebuild Series: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are one of the most talented offenses of the NFL, with talents like Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London. The one glaring spot on the offense of the Falcons, as it has been since Matt Ryan left, is Quarterback. Marcus Mariota was named the starter in 2022, but by the end of the year, Desmond Ridder was named the starter. Ridder was also the starter in 2023, but was underwhelming more often than not. What people blamed was the play calling and the coaching, and when Arthur Smith was fired, people believed that maybe the offense would open up in 2024. Raheem Morris was hired on to be the next head coach in Atlanta, a job he held previously as the interim head coach after Dan Quinn was fired. He has been the Los Angeles Rams head coach for the last 2 seasons, and now has another chance at the head man position.
The Falcons enter the 2024 draft with a handful of needs, but nothing that cannot be filled via the draft or free agency. Quarterback is obviously the biggest need, and yes it can be addressed in the first round should someone fall to them. They also have a need at Wide Receiver, Edge, Cornerback, and Offensive Line depth. The Falcons can also address some of their needs in free agency, they currently stand at just over $37 million in cap space.
As always, we will be using the PFF (Pro Football Focus) Mock Draft Simulator to assist us in this draft, as well as any PFF rankings that come with the upcoming class of rookies. Lets begin:
Round 1, Pick 8
If the Falcons get lucky, and have a top Quarterback fall to them in the draft, this would be the place to take. Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are the names that have been the most likely to fall, so it remains to be seen if that will happen or not. It is also being reported that Kirk Cousins might be on the short list for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, so that is also worth watching. The Falcons may also want to rock with Ridder for another season, and see what they have now that Arthur Smith is out of the facility. There will be a lot of moves between now and April in Atlanta, but we cannot account for all of those moves, and we will draft accordingly.
Pick: Quinyon Mitchell, Cornerback, Toledo
Outside of AJ Terrell, there are a lot of question marks at the Cornerback position for the Falcons. Clark Phillips was a 4th round rookie in 2023, and while Jeff Okudah was a former top 10 selection, he has not quite lived up to his draft stock. Quinyon Mitchell has been one of the fastest risers in this pre draft storm. Having 6 interceptions and 3 touchdowns in the last 2 seasons, Mitchell has been one of the best Cornerbacks in the nation for Toledo. He has ranked as the 1st ranked Cornerback in each of the last two seasons. Mitchell ranks near or at the 99th percentile in all major pass coverage categories from this last season, and at 6’0, 196 lbs, he can contend with some of the larger Wide Receivers in the NFL. The Falcons need someone opposite of AJ Terrell, and Quinyon Mitchell would likely give them a top 10 Cornerback duo in the NFL next season.
Round 2, Pick 43
If Quarterback is not addressed in these first two rounds, it likely means the Falcons have addressed it in free agency, or they are going with Ridder in 2024. Names like Bo Nix, JJ McCarthy, and Michael Penix might be a good option for the Falcons, but those all feel like a reach here in the 2nd round. Edge and Wide Receiver are the next two biggest needs for the Falcons, and it will all depend on who falls to them at this spot. Wide Receiver could also be the move here, it all depends if one of the potential first round talents falls to the early part of the second.
Pick: Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Oregon
Franklin is a guy that can see his name called a lot earlier than this, and given his near 1400 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, not many would be shocked. Franklin may be pegged as a “one trick pony” with being only able to run vertical routes, but an NFL offense may be able to open him up more. Should Franklin go to an offense that can open up the field, he can thrive. Franklin can thrive in an offense like the Falcons where there are other receiving threats to take off any double teams that may come his way.
Round 3
With two 3rd round picks, The Falcons have filled two major needs in the first two rounds, but they still have a need at Edge. There are a handful of guys at this spot that would make a great pick for the Falcons. Consistency is key for a young coach like Raheem Morris, therefore someone who has showed such consistency at the collegiate level would be ideal.
Pick 74
Pick: Gabriel Murphy, Edge, UCLA
At 6’3, 260 lbs, Murphy can slide inside on the Defensive Line if need be, though he has operated the majority of his collegiate career outside of the Tackle. Murphy has been productive in each of his 3 seasons in college, producing 18 sacks, 32 QB hits, and 102 QB hurries. Murphy will need to show his production on the NFL level, and on a more consistent week to week basis. Last season, he had a few games where he was outright atrocious. If Murphy falls to the 3rd round, which he may see his name called earlier, the Falcons would be wise to take the former Bruin.
Pick 79
Pick: Kamren Kitchens, Safety, Miami
Kam Kitchens would have done better to come to the NFL after his sophomore year, where he graded out as the 5th best Safety out of 785 in the country. Primarily a deep Safety, Kitchens has the ability to be very good in both run support and pass coverage. Raheem Morris is a defensive minded coach that can give Kitchens the tools that he needs in order to right his skills, and make him an every down contributor at the next level.
Round 4, Pick 110
If the Falcons have addressed a lot of their major needs with their first 3 round picks, they can shift their focus to best available, and maybe taking a shot on a player that has fallen a few rounds. If there is a bit of a pause, the trenches on either side of the ball (Offensive or Defensive Line) are always a good place to have depth.
Pick: DeWayne Carter, Defensive Line, Duke
Working mainly as a B gap player, Carter also would have benefitted from coming out after his 2022 season. At 6’4, 305, Carter comes with a decent amount of strength, but he won’t overwhelm you with his athleticism. Carter needs to improve in defending the run, where he isn't as good compared to his pass rush ability. If Carter gets to a system that has Defensive Line depth, which the Falcons have a bit of with Calais Campbell and Grady Jarrett, he can contribute and grow to become a starter at the NFL level.
Round 5, Pick 142
The 5th round can often be a sweet spot for some teams in the NFL draft. Players fall each and every year to points that they didn’t think they would. This is that sweet spot.
Pick: DJ James, Cornerback, Auburn
DJ James is on the smaller side of Cornerbacks, weighing only 164 lbs, meaning he may not be able to hold up against the larger players he will see at the next level. James is a great pass coverage Cornerback, grading out as the 42nd ranked Cornerback last season out of 852 total players. While James excels in pass coverage, he is almost a liability in run support, grading out with a 53.3 run defense grade per PFF. James can be a good rotational Cornerback in a Defensive Back group. With Quinyon Mitchell and Kam Kitchens already in with this draft, DJ James would fill in nicely.
Round 6
Two picks in the 6th round will give the Falcons good depth and rotational pieces, and guys that can contribute on special teams too early in their career.
Pick 189
Pick: Kimani Vidal, Running Back, Troy
Vidal averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season with Troy, totaling 1661 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Then why isn’t he higher on the draft boards? Well he is from a smaller school, with Kansas State and James Madison being the best schools he played last season. He is also only 5’8, and 218 lbs. Running Backs at that size rarely succeed in the NFL, but Vidal can succeed in a change of pace role, or a depth back in an already deep Running Back room for the Falcons. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier make up a fantastic duo, but Allgeier could be used as a trade piece, or move on after his rookie contract is up. Vidal may not be the right person for the Falcons here, but Vidal will find his way into the NFL.
Pick 201
Pick: Hunter Nourzad, Center, Penn State
Nourzad has played all 5 Offensive Line positions during his time at Penn State, finally settling on Center in 2023. Nourzad is one of the better run blocking Offensive Lineman in this draft class, but he is mediocre at best in pass sets. In the right spot, and as a depth piece in a decent O-Line group, Nourzad can be a good plug and play player. He can also play multiple positions, which will make NFL teams very pleased with his potential.
Round 7, Pick 241
With their final selection in the 2024 NFL draft, the Falcons are looking pretty good with the holes that they have filled. With a decent free agent class, the Falcons can compete for the NFC South title next season, especially since it is the weakest division in the NFC.
Pick: Khalid Duke, Edge, Kansas State
At 6’4, 246 lbs, Duke has the size to play multiple positions along the Defensive Line. Last season, Duke graded out as an above average Edge player, standing at 205th out of 836 total Edge players. Duke also grades out as a far better run defender than a true pass rusher. Still, he totaled 11 sacks, 11 QB hits and 37 QB hurries in the last 3 seasons. Duke can be a good rotational depth player, or a practice squad player at the next level. Behind guys like Calais Campbell and Grady Jarrett, he can learn skills that he does not have now, which can help him grow into a better NFL player.
The Atlanta Falcons were a few games away from being division winners last season, and they are not far off from doing just that in 2024. If the Quarterback situation is addressed, then they will be just fine in 2024. I am not even a Falcons fan, but I a begging Raheem Morris. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FREE KYLE PITTS, BIJAN ROBINSON, AND DRAKE LONDON. There is too much talent on that Offense for it to be as bad as it has been in recent memory. Next up in the NFC South: The New Orleans Saints.
