2024 NFL Draft Grades: Atlanta Falcons
The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.
What draft grades have the media given to the Atlanta Falcons? What are they saying about the Falcons' 2024 draft haul?
NFL.com - Grade: C+
Day 2 grade: C
Day 3 grade: B
Analysis: It was a strange draft for the Falcons, primarily because of the Penix selection, which was perplexing given their investment in Kirk Cousins this offseason. Penix's strong arm and accuracy from the pocket could make him a star if the injury woes that plagued him at Indiana don't return. Trading up to grab the athletic Orhorhoro was a reach, in my opinion, especially given the team's need at corner. Trice met a crucial need on the edge.
Dorlus fits the mold of Atlanta's defensive linemen. He should be able to play 5-technique or 3-technique depending on where he is needed. Bertrand should contribute on special teams before moving to defense in time. McClellan and Washington -- who broke out as a senior at Illinois -- offer depth at the skill positions. They'll need to find cornerbacks in the undrafted free agent pool after failing to address the position in the draft.
ESPN - Grade: C
With the No. 8 pick, I long considered the Falcons as owning the biggest pivot point in Round 1. Would they trade down to make a deal with a team moving up for a quarterback? Would they stay put and take the first defender off the board? They had options, all of which could help a defense that had just 16 takeaways last season, which ranked 29th in the league. With the addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins, this is a team built to win the NFC South now, but it had to draft significant contributors on the other side of the ball.
And then Atlanta's selection was turned in on Thursday night, and there were mouths agape in the crowd here in Detroit. Look, we can debate Michael Penix Jr.'s (8) talent all we want, but the Falcons had a chance to improve their defense with the best prospects still on the board and didn't take it. Instead, they chose a quarterback to sit behind a guy to whom they just gave $100 million guaranteed. I just don't get the logic here, and it's not like Penix is raw, either. He turns 24 in May and has played a ton of football. It was one of the most shocking picks I can remember in Round 1.
GM Terry Fontenot got much better value on his next three picks. Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (35) is a stout run-defender, but Fontenot had to give up his extra third-rounder to move up eight spots to get Orhorhoro. Atlanta doubled up at the position with Brandon Dorlus (109), who I thought could sneak into Round 3. Fontenot also snagged edge rusher Bralen Trice (74), who had 16 sacks over the past two seasons. At least the Falcons helped their needs here.
It's not very difficult to grade this one in the moment based on the value of what Fontenot did in Round 1, even if I like a few other players in the class.
MORE: Atlanta Falcons 2024 NFL Draft Roundup
Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, we will update our Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Atlanta Falcons from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Falcons:
Fox Sports - Rob Rang (5/3)
21. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
San Diego Union-Tribune - Eddie Brown (5/2)
20. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
MORE: Continue reading our 2025 Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup
Atlanta Falcons 2024 NFL Schedule
Below you will find the weekly regular-season schedule for the Atlanta Falcons.
Week | Date | Opponent | Results |
---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Sun., Sept. 8 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | L 18-10 |
Week 2 | Mon., Sept. 16 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 22-21 |
Week 3 | Sun., Sept. 22 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs | L 22-17 |
Week 4 | Sun., Sept. 29 | vs. New Orleans Saints | W 26-24 |
Week 5 | Thu., Oct. 3 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 36-30 (OT) |
Week 6 | Sun., Oct. 13 | at Carolina Panthers | W 38-20 |
Week 7 | Sun., Oct. 20 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | L 34-14 |
Week 8 | Sun., Oct. 27 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 31-26 |
Week 9 | Sun., Nov. 3 | vs. Dallas Cowboys | W 27-21 |
Week 10 | Sun., Nov. 10 | at New Orleans Saints | L 20-17 |
Week 11 | Sun., Nov. 17 | at Denver Broncos | L 38-6 |
Week 12 | BYE | ||
Week 13 | Sun., Dec. 1 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | L 17-13 |
Week 14 | Sun., Dec. 8 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 42-21 |
Week 15 | Mon., Dec. 16 | at Las Vegas Raiders | W 15-9 |
Week 16 | Sun., Dec. 22 | vs. New York Giants | W 34-7 |
Week 17 | Sun., Dec. 29 | at Washington Commanders | L 30-24 (OT) |
Week 18 | Sun., Jan. 5 | vs. Carolina Panthers | L 44-38 (OT) |
Also, check out the following resources:
Atlanta Falcons - 2024 Draft Results
The table below are all of the 2024 NFL Draft picks selected by the Atlanta Falcons.
Round | Overall | Player | Position | School |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 | Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Washington |
2 | 35 | Ruke Orhorhoro | DT | Clemson |
3 | 74 | Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington |
4 | 109 | Brandon Dorlus | DT | Oregon |
5 | 143 | JD Bertrand | LB | Notre Dame |
6 | 186 | Jase McClellan | RB | Alabama |
6 | 187 | Casey Washington | WR | Illinois |
6 | 197 | Zion Logue | DT | Georgia |
More: 2024 NFL Draft Results - Atlanta Falcons Draft History