Which Draft Pick Do The Atlanta Falcons Have In The 2024 NFL Draft?

The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2023 season with optimism, poised to make strides and fulfill their potential. Their divisional opponents, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, faced the departure of Tom Brady, widely considered the greatest player of all time, due to retirement. This created an opportunity for the Falcons to contend for the division title.

After finishing 7-10 in 2022, they secured the eighth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and chose the talented RB Bijan Robinson. However, the Falcons grappled with inconsistent quarterback play throughout the season, as they rotated between second-year Desmond Ridder and backup Taylor Heinicke.

After a 4-3 start, they suffered seven losses in their remaining 10 games, concluding the season with a 7-10 record for the third consecutive year.

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What Draft Picks Do The Atlanta Falcons Own?

The Falcons currently hold eight draft picks, which will be finalized once the NFL allocates 32 compensatory picks this offseason. However, it's unlikely Atlanta will receive any compensatory picks since they signed more free agents than lost. Their initial pick in the first round is eighth overall. This marks the third consecutive year the Falcons will have the eighth overall pick.

Barring any trades, the Falcons will also hold a second-round pick. This will extend their streak to five consecutive years with both a first and second-round draft selection.

The question arises: Should they address the quarterback position in the first or second round, or pursue it through trade or free agency?

Who Could The Atlanta Falcons Draft In The First Round?

The Falcons have selected a skill-position player in the first round for the last three drafts: Bijan Robinson at No. 8 in 2023, Drake London at No. 8 in 2022, and Kyle Pitts at No. 4 in 2021. While all three players are considered game changers, the team has struggled to find a quarterback to utilize their talents effectively. This year, it's likely that Atlanta will break the trend of selecting a skill-position player and focus on drafting a quarterback or making a trade to address the league's most important position.

There has been a lot of chatter about Atlanta native Justin Fields potentially stepping in as Desmond Ridder's replacement. Fields, who grew up a Falcons fan, could be a great fit in their system. It's increasingly likely that the Bears will draft Caleb Williams first overall and trade Justin Fields. Nevertheless, it seems former Falcon and four-time Pro Bowler Roddy White would be just fine with that decision.

If Atlanta determines Fields isn't the right fit, there are numerous quarterback options available in this year's draft. They could either trade up to secure one of the top three spots or stay at eight, hoping that one of the top candidates falls to them. They have multiple avenues to explore.

Apart from Williams, there are two other quarterbacks whom many analysts project to go in the top 10: North Carolina's Drake Maye and 2023 Heisman winner Jaden Daniels. Following them, there is a slight drop-off in talent, with quarterbacks JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix, and Bo Nix rounding out the top six quarterbacks in the draft. Despite this, all of these players are highly talented and have the potential to be franchise-altering quarterbacks.

Beyond quarterback, the Falcons could use some bolstering in their pass-rushing attack. With Raheem Morris, formerly the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, now at the helm as their new head coach, selecting a pass rusher could be a promising move to kickstart their journey in the right direction. If they choose to go that route potential options include Alabama's OLB Dallas Turner, UCLA's OLB Laiatu Latu, or Florida State's DE Jared Verse. With all of that being said, it would be wise for the Falcons to address their quarterback situation unless they want to endure another season at 7-10.

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