Atlanta Falcons could benefit from historic first round of the NFL Draft

Atlanta Falcons could benefit from historic first round of the NFL Draft

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the 2024 NFL Draft has the potential to be historic with the amount of top-end talent on the offensive side of the ball. Schefter pointed out that the record for the number of offensive players taken in the first round is 19 (which has happened three times, most recently in 2009). With the breadth of talent at receiver, quarterback and offensive line, this draft could break that record.

This influx of offensive talent could end up being exactly what the Atlanta Falcons need at the top of the draft. Atlanta has two top-50 picks at eight and 43, meaning the Falcons could have a chance at a top defensive playmaker in both rounds.

As we get closer to the draft, Atlanta has been tied to the top three edge rushers, most notably Alabama’s Dallas Turner. However, General Manager Terry Fontenot’s “best player available” strategy may turn Atlanta toward an offensive playmaker like Washington’s Rome Odunze or LSU’s Malik Nabers. Or the best player available could be one of the top cornerbacks like Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell or Alabama’s Terrion Arnold.

The second round depends on how the Falcons go in the first, but the skill positions available at 43 will be intriguing if they go edge as projected. A cornerback like Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw or Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa allows the Falcons to add two defensive playmakers in their first two picks.

The only question is how much Fontenot allows himself to take advantage of the projected elongated run on offense that we could see in the first round.