The Atlanta Falcons have had an unorthodox approach to the team-building process. It almost feels like the Falcons overcorrected for years of not addressing the quarterback position and the defensive front seven.
Now, the Falcons are in the first year of the Raheem Morris era and they start it off with taking their quarterback of the future and fortifying the defensive line for years to come.
In this exercise, we look at each pick and grade their overall value to the Falcons franchise.
Round 1, Pick 8: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.
Grade: D+
When a team takes a quarterback in the top ten, there are supposed to be fireworks going off. The optimism that you feel should be palpable. That's not the case here. Atlanta shocked the world with their unorthodox decision to take their QB of the future despite signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year contract this past offseason. After last season, it's understandable why they did not want to be in that situation again, but that's not enough to completely excuse the unnecessary uncomfortable quarterback situation they've created.
Round 2, Pick 35: Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro
Grade: B-
On the surface, making a bet on Orhorhoro makes perfect sense. He's an athletic specimen that needs a little refining...sounds like another recent second-round pick who hailed from Montana State. However, trading up for him when he could have been there at 43 feels like a panic move, not enough to tank the grade, but enough to where it's not a solid B.
Round 3, Pick 74: Washington EDGE Bralen Trice
Grade: A
Finding pass rush this late in the draft doesn't get much better than drafting a guy like Trice. Trice was one of the more productive pass rushers in terms of generating pressure and getting to the quarterback. Now, he's got a chance to cement himself as the Falcons premier pass rusher.
Round 4, Pick 109: Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus
Grade: B+
Dorlus is a tweener, he fell to the fourth round because of that fact. There will be some debate on deploying him along the defensive line. He can line up pretty much anywhere and assist the Falcons pass rush. Getting a talent like Dorlus in round four is outstanding value.
Round 5, Pick 143: Notre Dame ILB J.D. Bertrand
Grade: C
Did we need linebacker depth? Yes. Did we need it in round five? Not necessarily. But keeping a homegrown Georgia kid in red and black, especially one with the football IQ of Bertrand, is always a good bet.
Round 6, Pick 186: Alabama RB Jase McClellan
Grade: B-
Adding to a strength this late in the draft is usually good process and picking up a player like McClellan looks to be another example of it. McClellan is a big back that complements the electricity in the room in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
Round 6, Pick 187: Illinois WR Casey Washington
Grade: C
The Falcons needed some more physicality in the wide receiver room after the overhaul of speed that they brought in this offseason. Washington gives you that alongside a chance to develop a possession receiver.
Round 6, Pick 197: Georgia DT Zion Logue
Grade: B
What would a Falcons draft be without getting a Georgia Bulldog in there? Logue is a tall, athletic interior player who could fill an immediate need for Atlanta.
Overall Grade: C
The value of the Penix pick as it pertains to 2024 tanks this draft grade. We won't be able to see the fruits of the headliner until at least 2026. That's not great process given the opportunity to help a potential playoff team become stronger. There's a lot of potential for the Falcons to be in a playoff game and notice that they were a difference-maker or two away from sealing/winning a playoff game and we look back to that decision as to why.
The rest of the draft is fine, adding solid pieces throughout the draft will never look sexy on the surface, but if they hit, they can make a difference.
