The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer ranked and graded all 32 NFL off-seasons from best to worst. This off-season, the Atlanta Falcons have been the butt of many a joke for their selection of Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in the 2024 NFL draft. However, Iyer was able to look past that and see the upgrades Atlanta added to the roster, giving them an A- grade and ranking their off-season ninth-best in the NFL.
Grade: A-
Key additions: QB Kirk Cousins, QB Michael Penix Jr., WR Darnell Mooney, WR Rondale Moore, DT Ruke Orhorhoro, DT Brandon Dorlus, EDGE Bralen Trice
The Falcons got their major upgrade at QB for now and the near future, investing a little more than the Steelers. They also have those better passing game options in an improve offense under Zac Robinson. Defensively, GM Terry Fontenot gave new coach Raheem Morris some underrated young front-seven juice.
Most see the Penix pick and immediately categorize this off-season as a wash for the Falcons, not realizing the Falcons were able to completely revitalize their passing attack through an injection of talent at the receiver room and getting arguably the best quarterback in free agency.
While the defense is still a question, there is no doubt that the Falcons took plenty of shots at improving the front seven through this year's draft. The additions of Orhorhoro, Dorlus and Trice may not pay huge dividends in year one but could signal the next phase of Atlanta's defense as playmakers like Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata grow older.
