The Falcons have a shaky defense, have yet to find a franchise quarterback (QB), their best running back is aged, and they do not have a strong wide receiver room. There are significant holes in this Falcons team that will take more than one off-season to fill. Luckily for the Falcons, they are in the weakest division in the NFC. The franchise can make noise in the division with a few moves and a solid draft.
The Falcons have one of the best pass-catching tight ends (TE) in the NFL, but they do not give him the ball. Kyle Pitts’ lack of targets could result from the QB play needing to improve. However, if it is because the Falcons want their TEs to block and catch a few passes strictly, they need to move Kyle Pitts as soon as possible. His market value would be very high, and using him to block for another year is in neither his nor their best interest. Pitts is a generational talent that needs an offense suited for him. He is too good to spend a top-five draft pick only to trade away a few years later.
The QB problem will likely still need solving after the draft. Having the eighth pick puts the Falcons outside of the top QB prospects. Levis or Richardson could fall to them at eight, but many teams will try to trade up to get either. If they fall, the Falcons should certainly consider scooping up one of these QBs. However, this team has more pressing needs outside of QB. The eighth pick will match the Falcons with multiple defensive prospects that would suit them nicely. Tyree Wilson would be a match made in heaven. Any cornerback (CB) prospect would add significant value to a deflated defensive back group. The Falcons hope one of the top CB prospects will fall to them in the second round. Getting a defensive back in the first and a critical secondary piece in the second is what this Falcons’ defense needs. A year with Desmond Ridder as the QB will be shaky, but weapons like Kyle Pitts and a second-year Drake London should weather the burn before the Falcons land their franchise QB. No one expects the Falcons to compete, which puts them in a position to surprise their competition. However, if they do not win games, it will only increase their odds of getting their future QB. They should keep a close watch on prospects such as Caleb Williams and Drake Maye in 2024.