'24 Preview: Atlanta Falcons

All Access Football previews the 2024 Atlanta Falcons. All Access. All Football. All The Time.

Aug 05, 2024

Volume XXIV Edition XXX | 2024 Preview: Atlanta Falcons

NFC SOUTH || 2023 Record: 7-10 || AAF Preseason Power Ranking: 22

Team Brass

Owner: Arthur Blank || General Manager: Terry Fontenot || Head Coach: Raheem Morris || Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson || Defensive Coordinator: Jimmy Lake || Special Teams: Marquice Williams

2024 NFLPA Report Card || Overall Ranking (25 of 32)

Offense Rankings

Total Offense: 334.3 (17th) || Passing: 207.3 (22nd) || Rushing: 127 (9th) || Points: 18.9 (26th) || Sacked: 40 (T-12th) || 3rd Down: 40% (13th)

Defense Rankings

Total Defense: 321.1 (11th) || Passing: 202.9 (8th) || Rushing: 118.2 (20th) || Points Allowed: 21.9 (18th) || Sacks: 42 (T-21st) || Turnover Differential: -12 (T-30th)

Top 10 Franchise Players

RB Bijan Robinson (photo credit: Atlanta Falcons)
OG Chris Lindstrom
S Jessie Bates III
DT Grady Jarrett
QB Kirk Cousins
WR Drake London
OT Kaleb McGary
TE Kyle Pitts
CB AJ Terrell
LB Kaden Ellis

Key Additions

QB Kirk Cousins (Vikings) || WR Darnell Mooney (Bears) || WR Rondale Moore (Cardinals) || WR/RS Ray-Ray McCloud (49ers) || TE Charlie Woerner (49ers) || DE James Smith-Williams (Commanders) || CB Antonio Hamilton (Cardinals)

Key Losses

QB Desmond Ridder (Cardinals) || RB/RS Cordarrelle Patterson (Steelers) || FB Keith Smith || WR Van Jefferson (Steelers) || WR Mack Hollins (Bills) || TE Jonnu Smith (Dolphins) || TE MyCole Pruitt (Steelers) || DT Calais Campbell (Dolphins) || LB Bud Dupree (Chargers) || CB C.J. Henderson (Texans) || CB Tre Fowlers (Jaguars)

Breakout Players

RB Tyler Allgeier - One of the best kept secrets in the NFL, Allgeier consistently punches the time clock and puts in work. He compiled 876 all-scrimmage yards in his sophomore campaign, despite the arrival of hyped rookie sensation Bijan Robinson. As a rookie, Allgeier surpassed 1,000 rushing yards, giving the Falcons one of the deepest backfields in the league.

CB Clark Phillips III - While Phillips III didn’t see any game action until Week 10, he latched onto the opportunity once he received the call. His stellar play during the second half of the season resulted in five starts and led to the team letting Jeffrey Okudah walk in free agency.

S DeMarcco Hellams - A seventh round pick, Hellams carved a niche on special teams after a sensational training camp and would eventually wrangle the starting spot away from Richie Grant. Expect Hellams to be the favorite to line up next to Jessie Bates this year for the Falcons.

2024 NFL Draft Class

The Falcons front office was under pressure to be competitive in the short-term, so the signing of Kirk Cousins accomplishes that. Cousins has a ceiling though and has won just one playoff game in 12 seasons. Enter Michael Penixwho owns a greater upside. When Penix is ready for the job, Atlanta can surely flip Cousins for a first round pick. They also strengthened their front seven significantly. Initial Overall Rookie Assessment: High Level Impact