Atlanta Falcons last-minute bold predictions for 2024 NFL Draft

The Falcons will most likely be selecting a quarterback somewhere in this draft as they have just two on the roster currently in Cousins and last year’s backup Taylor Heinicke. Cousins, 35, and Heinicke, 31, have plenty of experience, along with injuries in their careers. Thankfully, until last season when he tore his Achilles and missed the entire rest of the season, Cousins had virtually missed no time. Still, there needs to be some youth and a QB3 on the roster, even if it’s not the future of the team. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes there could be some interest in Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., though maybe not at No. 8.

“They [Falcons] spent some time with Michael Penix Jr,” Fowler said on SportsCenter, via Bleacher Report. “This is interesting. When they went to visit him in Seattle for a private workout in early April, the whole contingent went, the head coach Raheem Morris, Fontenot, they flew all the way to Seattle just to watch him throw for a few hours and turned around and went home. They didn’t do dinner or stay the night or anything. That told me something as far as interest. Now, No. 8 overall, is that too rich for Penix? Maybe, but he’s probably not there when they pick 43rd overall in the second round.”

Falcons select a wide receiver with first round pick

There’s at least three teams that are in need of a wide receiver that select in front of the Falcons. However, one of those teams could trade up while two others could easily trade down. There’s also the team directly ahead of them, the Tennessee Titans, who seem like a lock to select Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. But nothing is guaranteed.

With that said, if one of the top receivers ends up falling to Atlanta at No. 8 in either Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, or Malik Nabers, could they really turn it down?

Does Atlanta need a wide receiver? Not necessarily, as they have their WR1 in Drake London and they made notable additions in free agency with Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. But adding someone like a Harrison, Odunze, or Nabers might seem irresistible.

Falcons won’t draft edge rusher Dallas Turner

Most analysts like NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper believe the Falcons will be selecting Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner with their No. 8 overall pick. They could, however, see that pick slip through their fingers even if they do stick with where they are at in the draft order. The Titans picking just ahead of them also have a need for an edge rusher and could pass on Alt altogether and decide on stealing Turner right from under them.

Or, the Falcons could just straight up pass on Turner, deciding to go with UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, either selecting him at No. 8 or later after they’ve traded down.