Atlanta Falcons Biggest Needs in NFL Draft

We take a look at the Atlanta Falcons biggest needs in the NFL Draft and how they might address them.

Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner / Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft is a week away with the first round starting on Thursday, April 25th. With the Atlanta Falcons addressing their biggest need during free agency by signing Kirk Cousins, what are the biggest needs left they can address in the draft?

General manager Terry Fontenot has been adamant about selecting the "best prospect available" in his previous three drafts, but the best drafts are when the best prospect available also matches the biggest need.

That could finally be the case for the Falcons in 2024. Their biggest need now that quarterback has been filled is edge rusher. That the Falcons doubled their sack total from 21 to 42 in 2023 and still finished 21st in the NFL in total sacks illustrates just how poor Atlanta has been in getting after the quarterback.

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They were dead last in pass-rush-win rate according to ESPN.

It's not that the Falcons haven't tried to find the elusive No. 1 edge in the past, they just haven't succeeded. Atlanta spent a second and third round pick on Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone respectively in 2022.

Ebiketie has proven to be a serviceable player. He had six sacks last season, but he appears to be more of a complimentary player than one who teams must gameplan around. Malone had just six tackles last season.

There have been No. 1 picks spent on Takkarist McKinley in 2017 and Vic Beasley in 2015. McKinley had 17.5 sacks in four seasons with the Falcons. Beasley had a flash-in-the-pan 2016 with 15.5 sacks, but flamed out soon after. He was out of football at 28 having been an All-Pro just four-years earlier.

Just because they've missed in the past, doesn't mean the Falcons shouldn't take another shot. Alabama's Dallas Turner and Florida State's Jared Verse are considered top-10 talents by several evaluators. Turner is the most common selection in mock drafts for the Falcons at eight.

UCLA's Laitu Latu also checks a lot of boxes at edge rusher, and the Falcons may be comfortable trading back a few spots, picking up another day-two pick, and taking any one of the three.

The depth of this NFL Draft in the first round appears to be at offensive tackle, wide receiver, and cornerback.

If Notre Dame's Joe Alt falls to No. 8, he would be under serious consideration. Offensive tackle is a sneaky need for Atlanta. Jake Matthews is 32-years old and has a $22-million cap hit in 2025 according to Spotrac.

Kaleb McGary was good in a run-heavy Arthur Smith offense, but his pass protection is still questionable at best.

There's a chance one of the top wide receivers will be available at No. 8. A No. 2 wide receiver is a need for this team. Washington's Rome Odunze and LSU's Malik Nabers would be considered No. 1 wide receivers on most rosters.

Lining up Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson and one of the rookies with Kirk Cousins will tempt the Falcons brass.

However, this is a deep year for receivers, and there will be several talented pass catchers available when the Falcons pick in the second round at No. 43.

A cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell is also a big need for this year. New head coach Raheem Morris talked up Mike Hughes shortly after he was hired, but in a secondary with Terrell and All-Pro safety Jessie Bates, Hughes could prove to be a liability.

We wouldn't advocate taking a cornerback at No. 8. However, If the Falcons trade back from their current position, they could pick up another day-two pick, package that pick with their third-round Calvin Ridley pick from the Jaguars and get back into the first round.

An Ideal draft could looks something like Dallas Turner at No. 11 and cornerback Cooper DeJean from Iowa at No. 25. Or, flip the two picks and get Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at 13 and Latu at 20.

We've covered edge, wide receiver, cornerback, and offensive tackle. Those are four-premium positions, but arguably the second-biggest need on the team behind edge rusher is a safety next to Bates.

Former second-round pick Richie Grant hasn't panned out, and his $4-million cap hit places him 31st among safeties in the NFL. His NFL-average pay hasn't matched his play. He's been well below average.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded Grant as the 89th safety out of 95 possible. The eye test agrees. Grant wasn't good last year. The Falcons can save $3.1 million if they move on from Grant in the offseason.

With two-third-round picks currently, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Falcons take a safety on day two.

Fontenot and his staff have done a good job rebuilding the Falcons. They can use the draft to help fill remaining needs and continue to build depth.

The Atlanta Falcons biggest needs heading into the draft as we see them? Edge (maybe two), S2, CB2, WR2, and offensive tackle.

Atlanta Falcons Draft Picks:
1st Round, No. 8
2nd Round, No. 43
3rd Round, No. 74
3rd Round, No. 79 (from Jacksonville)
4th Round, No. 109
5th Round, No. 143
6th Round, No. 187
6th Round, No. 197 (from Cleveland)