For the Atlanta Falcons, next season can’t start soon enough.
They have a new head coach in Raheem Morris, a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins, and will have a new potential building block, taken with the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft.
The Falcons could use more depth at receiver, but their pass rush seems to be their biggest area of need.
They’ve taken offensive players in three consecutive first rounds, but with a defensive-minded coach like Morris and their current roster, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them taking a pass rusher.
However, GM Terry Fontenot is keeping an open mind about this process.
The GM claimed that the Falcons wouldn’t reach with the No. 8 pick just because of a certain need, and they could instead take a ‘best player available approach:’
“It’s a strong draft,” Fontenot said. “We’re going to be staring at some really good players at eight, or whether we’re up a little bit or whether we’re back a little bit, and that’s the excitement. We’re wide open. And I love that about Raheem and the staff – we’re completely wide open.
Terry Fontenot knows the Falcons need a pass rusher. He also insists he won’t reach at No. 8.
“We can look back at drafts where someone reached on a pressure player & left some really good players on the board at other positions.”
Atlanta is “wide open”:https://t.co/2XMqDM2H8a
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) April 13, 2024
He doesn’t want to leave a good player on the table just because they have certain needs on the roster.
The Falcons have stacked an interesting set of talent, and they should be much better next season with a legitimate quarterback behind center.
Perhaps this could also mean that the Falcons wouldn’t mind trading back from No. 8 if they can maximize their assets, especially if they can also get the pass-rusher they need later in the first round or earlier in the second round.
Whatever the case, the Falcons will be expected to compete for a postseason berth and a divisional pennant in 2024 and for as long as Kirk Cousins is in town.
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Kirk Cousins Is Attending Special Event This Weekend
