The Atlanta Falcons have a solid foundation in place but they desperately need a quarterback to take that next step in 2024 and beyond. While it sounds like head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot are planning to add a QB this offseason, their exact plans are unknown.
Will the team pull off a trade for someone like Justin Fields, sign a free agent like Kirk Cousins, or will Atlanta look to make a splash in the 2024 NFL draft? In our new seven-round mock draft, we have the Falcons trading up for an exciting QB prospect before addressing needs.
TRADE ALERT: Falcons acquire No. 3 pick from Patriots
Falcons receive:
- No. 3 overall pick (2024)
Patriots receive:
- No. 8 overall pick (2024)
- 1st-round pick (2025)
- 6th-round pick (2024)
- 4th-round pick (2025)
- QB Desmond Ridder
Round 1, Pick 3: QB Jayden Daniels - LSU
If you’re a fan of dual-threat quarterbacks with absurd touchdown-to-interception ratios, it doesn’t get much better than LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The Heisman Trophy-winning QB lit up the SEC in 2023, passing for 40 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing over 72 percent of his passes. Daniels rushed for another 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground last season. I don’t think Atlanta can wait until pick No. 8 if they want the Tigers QB.
Round 2, Pick 43: WR Keon Coleman - FSU
The Falcons have very little depth behind Drake London at wide receiver and Coleman would be a good value here in the second round. The Florida State product has the prototypical size for an outside receiver but lined up in the slot about a third of the time in 2023. Coleman finished the season with 50 receptions for 658 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns for the undefeated Seminoles.
Round 3, Pick 74: DL Brandon Dorlus - Oregon
Dorlus helped his draft stock with a good performance during Senior Bowl week. The versatile Oregon defensive lineman finished the 2023 season with 35 hurries, seven QB hits and four sacks. Dorlus had a true pass-rushing grade of 82.1, according to Pro Football Focus.
Round 4, Pick 109: CB Kalen King - Penn State
King’s draft stock fell after a subpar 2023 season at Penn State. Here in the fourth round, though, the Falcons take a chance on King’s upside and add some depth at outside cornerback. Jeff Okudah is set to hit free agency this offseason.
Round 5, Pick 145: EDGE Grayson Murphy - UCLA
With Calais Campbell potentially on the way out, I have the team adding another defensive lineman here in the fifth round. Murphy had a pass-rush grade of 85.2 last season while adding 21 QB hits and eight sacks for UCLA.
Round 6, Pick 201: RB Frank Gore Jr. - Southern Miss.
Frank Gore Jr. has NFL running back written all over him. The son of NFL legend Frank Gore rushed for over 1,000 rushing yards with 200-plus receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. Gore Jr. has good vision and excels as a zone rusher. Running back isn’t exactly a need for Atlanta, but a quality third back who can catch the ball out of the backfield couldn’t hurt.
Round 7, Pick 244: LB Jordan Magee - Temple
Magee is a player who could instantly step in on special teams and has plenty of upside to develop into a defensive contributor down the line. The Temple linebacker can rush the passer, stop the run, and drop into coverage effectively. There’s a lot to like here in the seventh round.
Mock Draft Recap/Grade
