Ranking the Top 3 Options In the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft For the Atlanta Falcons From Best to Last

Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

1. Draft an edge rusher

Atlanta's inability to get to the quarterback has been an ongoing issue for years and has greatly contributed to the team's six-year playoff drought. Dallas Turner of Alabama, Laitu Latu of California - Los Angeles and Jared Verse of Florida State all have the potential to become the stud edge rusher Atlanta has needed for a long time and accompany Arnold Ebiketie, the team's 2022 second-round pick out of Pennsylvania State, who will be entering his third year and looking to build on the strides he made in the second half of last season, finishing with five sacks in the last eight games of the 2023 season. This is without a doubt the best option for Atlanta in the first round of this year's draft

2. Trade down and still get the player they want

Say there is a player Atlanta really likes who would still be available after No. 8 (cornerback Terrion Arnold of Alabama, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II from Texas, CB Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo and Latu). They could trade down to what would likely be no later than the mid-first for future draft compensation. So not only would Atlanta still get the guy they want on their board, they would also acquire more picks for this year's draft and likely next year's. However, trading down in the draft has come with mixed results and if Atlanta trades down, they take the risk of missing out on potential high-end talent available in the top 10.

3. Spend the eighth pick on a Wide Reciever

It is likely that Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) and Malik Nabers (LSU) will not be on the board by the time Atlanta is on the clock at eight. So if Atlanta were to draft a receiver, it would be Washington's Rome Odunze. Odunze's strong route running accompanies his size, catch radius, and ability to effectively change direction with the ball in his hands. He and Drake London could form a deadly 1-2 punch on the outside. If Kyle Pitts finally has a breakout year and lives up to the potential of his No. 4 overall draft status with Kirk Cousins under center to accompany a backfield led by running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, drafting Odunze has the potential to make Atlanta an offense no Coordinator in the league will look forward to game planning for. However, although Atlanta does need another Wide Receiver to accompany London, Darnell Mooney and more, this wide receiver class is deep enough to where they can still grab a quality player at the position in the second or third round, such as Troy Franklin, Ladd McConkey, Roman Wilson, or Rickey Pearsall. As mentioned earlier, pass rush is without a doubt this team's biggest need and has been for many years. As talented as Odunze is, and while General Manager Terry Fontenot prioritizes drafting the "best player available," over drafting needs, drafting a Wide Receiver at eight is simply not the right move for the Falcons, given their lack of depth at edge rusher. If Arnold Ebiketie goes down with in injury next season, it would leave Atlanta with Lorenzo Carter, Deangelo Malone, and likely another third option acquired via free agency or in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.