Now that the Atlanta Falcons have hired head coach Raheem Morris, it’s time to start looking ahead to the offseason. The team has roughly $26 million in cap space and currently holds the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
There’s no denying that the Falcons’ biggest need is at the quarterback position, but how will they go about addressing it? While many fans are hoping to land LSU QB Jayden Daniels, he will likely be gone by the time Atlanta is on the clock.
In our latest seven-round Falcons mock draft, we have the team taking an elite edge rusher in the first round before executing a trade for a new starting quarterback.
Round 1, pick 8: EDGE Dallas Turner - Alabama
Due to a pre-draft trade, which we’ll get to in a second, the Falcons bypass a quarterback here at pick No. 8 and select Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner. Atlanta’s defensive line made strides last season but considering Calais Campbell’s uncertain future, the team can’t afford to pass on a potential game-changer in Turner. The Crimson Tide product finished with 11 sacks, 33 hurries, 11 QB hits and a PFF pass-rush grade of 89.3 in 2023.
TRADE ALERT: Falcons acquire Bears QB Justin Fields
Falcons trade:
- 2024 2nd-round pick (No. 43)
- 2024 4th-round pick (No. 109)
- QB Taylor Heinicke
Bears trade:
- QB Justin Fields
In this scenario, the Falcons land a budding star at quarterback in exchange for two draft picks and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke. The Bears get a quality bridge QB to help mentor presumed No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Atlanta gets Georgia native Justin Fields.
Round 3, pick 74: Safety Javon Bullard - Georgia
Bullard’s stock may dropped a bit from where he was ranked coming into the season, but I don’t see him making it to Day 3. The versatile Georgia defensive back excels in coverage, earning a PFF coverage grade of 88.3 in 2023 and coming away with two interceptions. Bullard spent a ton of time in the slot in 2022 before playing more at the deep safety position this season. The Falcons have a superstar in Jessie Bates III, but the team would benefit from adding some competition for Richie Grant.
Round 5, pick 145: WR Luke McCaffrey - Rice
Christian McCaffrey’s little brother, Luke, comes from a talented football family, but this pick is about production over name recognition. The former Rice wideout finished with just under 1,000 receiving yards last season while adding 13 touchdowns. McCaffrey has improved his draft stock with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl this week. The Falcons need a quality slot receiver and they land a good one here in the fifth round.
Round 6, pick 189: WR Moose Muhammad III - Texas A&M
Another son of a former NFL player, Moose Muhammad III had a down year in 2023. However, Texas A&M had a dysfunctional season in general. The school fired head coach Jimbo Fisher and Muhammad III reportedly had a feud with his former coach over wearing sleeves. In 2022, the Aggies wideout had 609 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Falcons need depth at wide receiver behind Drake London.
Round 6, pick 201: OT Andrew Coker - TCU
Coker is far from a polished product but he has starting experience at both tackle spots and is an above-average pass blocker. The TCU lineman split time at right and left tackle in 2023. Atlanta lacks depth up front and Coker would be a good developmental prospect who could sit and learn behind Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary.
Round 7, pick 244: QB Carter Bradley - South Alabama
Bradley, like McCaffrey, has helped his draft stock during Senior Bowl week. The South Alabama QB has passed for 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions over the last two seasons. After trading away Heinicke to the Bears, Bradley could serve as a developmental backup behind Fields and Ridder.
Falcons draft recap/PFF draft grade
