Mediocrity, underachievement, and poor use of weapons have defined the Atlanta Falcons over the past three seasons and each of those seasons resulted in a 7-10 record and finishes at the bottom of the NFC South. Following these disappointing performances, Arthur Blank and the Falcons organization decided to part ways with Arthur Smith, who had been at the helm for the last three years. With Smith’s departure, the Falcons and many other NFL teams began their search for a new head coach, leading them to an old friend, Raheem Morris.
Morris is taking over a Falcons team with significant potential but seemingly missing that final bit of "fuel" needed for a successful "take-off." He brings a wealth of knowledge to Atlanta, having coached on both sides of the ball and previously served with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020, including as interim head coach in 2020. Morris then went to the Rams, where he won a Super Bowl as the defensive coordinator under Sean McVay. However, Morris isn’t the only addition the Falcons pursued this offseason.
Terry Fontenot and company were busy on the phones this offseason, adding veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and Justin Simmons, and making a shocking trade for pass rusher Matthew Judon. The stereotype that followed the Falcons for the last three years has been the misuse of talent, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Bringing in Zac Robinson, a Sean McVay understudy, will help the development of this offense tremendously. With returning stars like Jessie Bates III and A.J. Terrell on defense, the Falcons look primed to compete for an NFC title.
2024 Atlanta Falcons
Coaching Staff and Front Office Personnel
- Head Coach: Raheem Morris (First Year as Falcons Head Coach)
- Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson (First Year as Falcons OC)
- Defensive Coordinator: Jimmy Lake (First Year as Falcons DC)
- Special Teams Coordinator: Marquice Williams (Fourth Year as Falcons STC)
- Notable Assistant Coaches: T.J. Yates (QB Coach), Tim Berbenich (Pass Game Specialist/(Game Management), K.J. Black (Offensive Assistant), Jerry Gray (Assistant Head Coach/Defense), Ike Hilliard (Wide Receivers), Justin Hood (Secondary), Dwayne Ledford (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line), Dave Huxtable (SR. Defensive Assistant).
- General Manager: Terry Fontenot (Fourth Year as Falcons GM)
Notable Additions
- Free Agency: Kirk Cousins (QB, Vikings), Darnell Mooney (WR, Bears), Justin Simmons (S, Broncos), Charlie Woerner (TE, 49ers)
- Draft: MIchael Penix Jr. (OB, Washington), Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson), Bralen Trice (EDGE, Washington {IR}), Brandon Dorlus (DT, Oregon), JD Bertrand (LB, Notre Dame)
- Trades: Rondale Moore (WR, Arizona {IR}), Matthew Judon (EDGE, Patriots)
Notable Subtractions
- Free Agency: Cordarrelle Patterson (WR/RB, Steelers), Mack Hollins (WR, Bills), Van Jefferson (WR, Steelers)
- Trades: Desmond Ridder (To Arizona), Taylor Henickie (To Chargers)
- Releases: Jonnu Smith
2023 Falcons Offensive Team Ranks
- 18.9 Points Per Game (26th)
- 334.3 Yards Per Game (17th)
- 207.3 Pass Yards and 127.0 Rush Yards Per Game (22nd and 9th)
- 40.00% Conversion Rate on Third Down (13th)
- 46.81% Red Zone Conversion Rate (30th)
- 28 Turnovers (T-7th most)
2023 Falcons Defensive Team Ranks
- 21.9 Points Allowed Per Game (17th)
- 321.1 Yards Allowed Per Game (10th)
- 202.9 Pass Yards and 118.2 Rush Yards Allowed Per Game (8th and 19th)
- 33.77% Conversion Rate Allowed on Third Down (3rd)
- 45.28% Red Zone Conversion Rate Allowed (4th)
- 16 Takeaways (29th)
Bandaids at QB are done. Enter Kirk Cousins
After trading away Falcons legend Matt Ryan at the end of the 2021 season, the Falcons have struggled to find their next franchise quarterback. For the 2022 season, they chose Marcus Mariota, but his inconsistent play led to his departure from the team for the last four games. That same year, the Falcons drafted Desmond Ridder in the third round, who was eventually named the starter for the 2023 season. The 2023 season was a disaster, as Arthur Smith rotated between Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, neither of whom could secure the starting role, and both have since been traded.
Rebuilding the quarterback room in Atlanta was essential, so the team pursued a veteran with a track record of consistency: Kirk Cousins. Over the past six seasons, Cousins has thrown for over 4,000 yards in all but two seasons (one being last year, when he played only eight games) and has surpassed 25 touchdowns in all but one season (due to an Achilles injury last year). Despite tearing his Achilles last year, Cousins still managed 2,331 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in eight games. He could be the key to unlocking the potential of talents like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London.
Now, it wouldn't be a proper article if I didn't express my doubts. The primary issue is Cousins’ recovery from the Achilles injury, especially at 36 years old. Although he didn't participate in preseason games, he didn't miss any practices due to the injury. I also don’t expect the Falcons to lean heavily on Cousins. The offense will likely focus on the run game, utilizing the skills of Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The strategy will center on quickly getting the ball to playmakers, meaning Cousins won't be sitting in the pocket for long trying to extend plays.
Breakout Alert
Piggybacking on my previous point about Cousins unlocking the full potential of Robinson, Pitts, and London, this Falcons team could deliver some impressive results. Entering his fourth year, Kyle Pitts has had two underwhelming seasons, largely due to injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and coaching issues. However, it's worth remembering that Pitts had a 1,000-yard receiving season as a rookie with Matt Ryan at quarterback. Now, with another veteran quarterback and an offensive coordinator who plans to utilize Pitts as both a tight end and a wide receiver, there’s hope that Pitts will have a breakout performance.
Drake London has also faced criticism for underperforming as a first-round draft pick. Yet, he has played under less-than-ideal quarterback situations with Mariota, Ridder, and Heinicke throughout his two-year career. Despite this, London still managed over 900 receiving yards last year, even while missing a game. With Cousins now throwing to him, London has significant upside and is poised for a breakout year in his third season.
Although the NFL community recognizes Robinson’s talent, I believe he deserves a mention for his potential to have a breakout season and be right to par with CMC and Breece Hall. Robinson amassed over 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored 8 touchdowns last year, proving his effectiveness in Arthur Smith’s offense. With the shift to a Sean McVay-style offense, there’s every reason to expect Robinson to surpass 1,000 rushing yards and score more than 10 touchdowns this year and still be a threat in the passing game. The excitement around Zac Robinson’s leadership of this talent-rich Falcons offense is massive and has spread to the players themselves.
Give Me Pass Rush
If I had to single out one issue affecting the Falcons as a whole, it would be their inability to get to the quarterback. The Falcons haven’t seen a defender reach double-digit sacks since 2016, when Vic Beasley recorded 15.5. Overall, the Falcons have been at the bottom of the league in sack percentage over the last two years, finishing 18th last year and dead last the season before.
Addressing the pass rush was a priority this offseason. After not signing or drafting a pass rusher in the first round, Terry Fontenot turned to the trade market and acquired Matthew Judon from the Patriots. For specifics on the trade and an in-depth look at Judon, check it out here. In short, Judon recorded back-to-back double-digit sack seasons for the Patriots in 2021 and 2022. Despite coming off a shortened season due to injury, Judon represents a much-needed upgrade that should bolster the Falcons’ pass rush.
Judon will join Arnold Ebiketie, Grady Jarrett, and David Onyemata on the defensive line/edge department. This group has potential, especially with the veteran presence of Jarrett and Onyemata, who recorded six sacks in his second NFL season. While the pass rush may not be the focal point of the Falcons' defense, it will certainly impact their overall performance. I’m sure I speak for all Falcons fans when I say, “Just get to the damn quarterback!”
The Michael Penix Pick does not look All That Bad…For Now
In what many consider (me) a boneheaded move by Terry Fontenot, the Falcons selected Michael Penix with their first overall pick in the most recent draft. Hearing this pick was infuriating. The Falcons had already signed Kirk Cousins and needed to address the pass rush, but instead, they chose a quarterback who, while talented, has a significant injury history and is already 24 years old.
Fast forward to now, Fontenot has added Matthew Judon and all-pro safety Justin Simmons to the roster. These moves were unexpected but indicate a well-thought-out plan to upgrade other areas while still investing in a potential future quarterback. With that said, I’ve come around on the Penix pick at eighth overall. He’ll sit behind Cousins and receive that "Favre-Rodgers" treatment, which could be highly beneficial for his development, rather than being rushed into starting his rookie year.
No Fly Zone
Just a few days after the Falcons acquired Judon, they added the best available safety on the market, Justin Simmons. As detailed previously with Judon, here's a deeper look at Simmons. Fontenot called this move the "cherry on top," showcasing the front office’s commitment to building a playoff-caliber team.
The signing of Simmons is impressive on its own, but his addition to the secondary alongside Jessie Bates III makes it even more noteworthy. Bates led the Falcons' defense last year, topping the team in interceptions and recording 132 tackles from the safety position. Now, with Simmons bringing 30 career interceptions—the seventh most among active players—the Falcons' secondary looks exceptionally formidable.
Moreover, A.J. Terrell, extended for the next four years, could have a standout season with two all-pro safeties behind him. In his first four years with the Falcons, Terrell has accumulated four interceptions and 43 pass deflections and has allowed a completion percentage above 56% only once—in his rookie year. With this trio, opposing quarterbacks will face a daunting challenge, and I can’t wait to see them dominate the field all season long.
The Bottom Line
Usually, teams that fire their head coach enter a rebuild or reload phase, but that’s not the case for the Falcons. With the talent they acquired during the Arthur Smith era and the additional “glue” they brought in this offseason, the Falcons are clearly aiming to contend now, not just develop for the future. Atlanta hasn't seen playoff football since 2018, and it’s time for that to change.
The NFC South is arguably the weakest division in the NFL, having been won at 9-8 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. Atlanta is favored to win the division this year, and I can see them advancing to a divisional playoff game. The culture established by Arthur Smith is gone, replaced by the “Raheem Regime,” which brings expectations of playoff football. However, a strong roster on paper only means so much; the team must execute on game day to have a chance at a deep playoff run.
Defined Falcons Strengths
- Offensive Weapons in Pitts, London, Robinson, and Allgeier
- The Two-Headed RB-Monster of Bijan and Allgeier
- Veteran presence of Kirk Cousins and pair that with a well-developed O-line
- Bates, Simmons, and Terell can be a true threat to opposing QB’s TD-INT ratio
Defined Falcons Weaknesses
- Kirk Cousins primetime/playoff record, ATL plays 4 primetime games this year
- Depth at WR. Can London, Mooney, and McCloud get it done?
- Raheem Morris only has one winning season as a head coach, can he lead the Falcons to wins?
- Morris's lead defenses haven't been great, but can this year be “good enough” and keep the offense on the field?
Falcons Seasonal Outlook
Record Ceiling: 12-5
Record Floor: 7-10
NFC South Finishing Position Prediction: 1st
Team MVP: Bijan Robinson
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