By acquiring Kirk Cousins, the Falcons have essentially ruled out selecting a quarterback in the first round of the draft, unless an unlikely scenario unfolds where Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels unexpectedly becomes available.
Terry Fontenot has taken steps to fill the remaining gaps in the team after the initial flurry of free agency moves. All major deficiencies, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver, have been addressed with the signings of Cousins and Darnell Mooney respectively.
Additional players have been added to complement the roster, from role players to backups, such as Rondale Moore, Ray-Ray McCloud, Khadarel Hodge, Storm Norton, and Kentavius Street. However, there are still areas, notably cornerback and edge positions, that need attention.
While the cornerback group consisting of A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips, Dee Aflord, and Mike Hughes is serviceable, adding a starting-quality cornerback would significantly bolster the unit, given the inevitability of injuries and the need for depth in today’s NFL. The situation at the edge position is even more dire, with Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, and DeAngelo Malone forming a bottom-tier group in the league.
It’s unrealistic to expect Phillips, Alford, Hughes, Carter, or Malone to perform above average consistently. Therefore, it’s imperative to strengthen both positions, even if not with headline-making signings.
This approach allows Terry Fontenot to utilize his draft strategy effectively by selecting the best available player, regardless of position. This has been his modus operandi in previous offseasons, addressing needs through free agency to maintain flexibility in the draft.
With the draft approaching, many mock drafts, including Mel Kiper’s latest, project the Falcons to select Dallas Turner. This pairing aligns perfectly with the team’s greatest positional need and the top prospect available. Turner, ranked ninth on the author’s Big Board, has shown impressive pass-rushing skills during his college career, making him a natural fit for a Falcons defense that struggled in generating pressure last season.
While adding Turner, Jared Verse, or Laiatu Latu would address a long-standing need for a dominant edge rusher, there’s a lingering concern that any of these choices might not fully meet expectations. Nonetheless, this draft presents a potential opportunity for the Falcons to finally solidify their pass rush, with Turner being a particularly compelling option under the leadership of new coach Raheem Morris.
