The season is approaching. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Atlanta Falcons 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
If there is one thing that could not be criticized about Arthur Smith, it is his consistency. In three seasons spent in Atlanta, the now ex-head coach of the Falcons posted a record of seven wins for nine losses in each season played. The last straw was even reached last year, with his status as division leader abandoned in December. A crucial defeat at home against Tampa Bay, a rout suffered in the last week in New Orleans, and a quarterback position that he will never have been able to put back on the right track following the departure of the emblematic Matt Ryan.
To replace him, the wildest rumors have circulated, starting with the possible arrival of a certain Bill Belichick. Finally, the General Manager Terry Fontenot and owner Arthur Blank have indeed made something new out of something old, but in a different form: Raheem Morris, former defensive coordinator of the Rams, becomes or rather becomes again the new strongman of the Falcons. The same one who had ensured the interim as head coach Atlanta in 2020, after the dismissal of Dan Quinn. And who had been replaced by… Arthur Smith.
So the circle is complete. But for his new (real) chapter at the head of the Georgians, Morris knows that his goal is above all an offensive overhaul, particularly in the air. In his luggage, coming from Los Angeles, the 47-year-old technician brought Zac Robinson. Quarterback coach at the Rams, he is the representative of this new wave that is raging within NFL attacks, symbolized by Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel and others. In defense, it is Jimmy Lake, former assistant to Morris, during the latter's failed stint as head coach Buccaneers in the late 2000s, taking over for Ryan Nielsen.
The goal of all these nice people? Improve a young group that lacks benchmarks in certain positions. The division has not been monstrous in recent years, and (effective) consistency is the key to the season. With what weapons can the Falcons hope to turn things around?
Last season: 7 wins – 10 losses, third in NFC South
Off-season movements
Notable arrivals: Kirk Cousins (QB), Darnell Mooney (WR), Rondale Moore (WR), Ray-Ray McCloud (WR), Charlie Woerner (TE), James Smith-Williams (DL), Antonio Hamilton (CB).
Re-signings: Khadarel Hodge (WR), Kentavius Street (DL).
Draft: Michael Penix Jr. (QB), Ruke Orhorhoro (DT), Bralen Trice (EDGE), Brandon Dorlus (DL), JD Bertrand (LB), Jase McClellan (RB), Casey Washington (WR), Zion Logue (DL ).
Notable losses: Desmond Ridder (QB), Cordarrelle Patterson (RB), Van Jefferson (WR), Jonnu Smith (TE), Matt Hennessy (OL), Calais Campbell (DL), Bud Dupree (EDGE), Jeff Okudah (CB) .
The watchword has been clear during this off-season: strengthen the aerial attack and the defensive line. The offensive sector was particularly considered during the free agencywith the arrival of the most highly rated quarterback on the market, a certain Kirk Cousins. It will be rightly pointed out that his 4-year contract can weigh heavily, for a 35-year-old player, who is coming back from a torn Achilles tendon. But it probably took an experienced conductor to finally get the best out of wide receiver Drake London, and especially tight end Kyle Pitts, both of whom were drafted very high in their respective drafts.
Other targets have arrived to feed Kirk Cousins: Darnell Mooney, slowed down by injuries in Chicago, Rondale Moore, who has become too one-dimensional (and also fragile) in Arizona, or Ray-Ray McCloud, adept at kick returns and capable of bringing his explosiveness, particularly in the 49ers' offensive system. Add to that two former San Francisco tight end players: Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. Atlanta finds itself with a lot of fast and physical options to give a more credible alternation to its attack. The main downside? Without a doubt this selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 draft. If the player has certain potential, due to his ability to take the Washington program to the last college final, he raised questions when it came to signing a veteran quarterback expensively and leaving aside positions of need in the Georgian squad.
On defense, for example, where many choices were made in the draft (Orhorhoro, Trice, Dorlus, Logue), especially on the inside of the first curtain, but where doubts remain from an overall youth point of view. The message is still clear: as on the offensive line, during the passage of Arthur Smith, Atlanta wants to be much more respected in the trenches. And this, on both sides of the ball. And even in the aftermath of the departure of defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and his two quarterback-hunting lieutenants, Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree.
Atlanta Falcons 2024 Typical Team
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins – Running back: Bijan Robinson – Receivers: Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore – Tight end: Kyle Pitts – Offensive Line (left to right): Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary.
Defensive Line: Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta'Quon Graham – Linebackers: Lorenzo Carter, Troy Andersen, Kaden Elliss, Arnold Ebiketie – Cornerbacks: AJ Terrell, Dee Alford – Safeties: Jessie Bates, Richie Grant.
Bijan Robinson – Tyler Allgeier, a duo that is still exciting at the start of this new season.
The strong point(s) of the Atlanta Falcons 2024
There is one area offensively that Arthur Smith has taken care of during his time in Atlanta. Despite having a very well-known offense in this area, within the league, the Atlanta Falcons have finished their last two seasons 3e (in 2022) and 9e (in 2023) in terms of rushing yards. The most intriguing thing about these statistics? Probably the fact that we have not yet seen the full potential of runner Bijan Robinson, drafted in the first round in 2023, and author of dazzling actions and supports in sequences. Behind Bijan, Tyler Allgeier is probably one of the most decent understudies in the league on the position. The integration of guard Matthew Bergeron, only a rookie last year, is a significant element that would allow a quality group, symbolized by Chris Lindstrom, one of the best NFL guards, to try to walk on his opposite numbers.
On defense, the safety position got a serious boost with the signing of Jessie Bates III in 2023. With 6 interceptions, the former Bengal pressed on an element that has long been lacking in Georgia: the ability to create turnovers. Alongside him, Richie Grant blew hot and cold, but the young DeMarcco Hellams was a pleasant surprise, hinting at medium-long term potential on the inside of the last curtain.
Finally, if Younghoe Koo does not impress as much as some of his counterparts, over very long distance, the kicker remains a sure value for the Falcons, with in particular a flawless record recorded at less than 40 yards.
The weak point(s) of the 2024 Atlanta Falcons
As previously stated, the Falcons have disappointed for too long at the pass rusher position. A situation that had improved punctually in 2023, with the reinforcements of Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree. Six and a half sacks respectively for the two men, and a total of 42 sacks over the entire campaign. Problem: both men are gone. And Atlanta is starting a new cycle, in great need of insurance when it comes to chasing the quarterback.
Now a third-year player, Arnold Ebiketie has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, having seemed like a “situational” defender up until this point. But with six sacks last year and the modest additions made this offseason, he'll be Jimmy Lake's go-to guy, no doubt.
The pass rush performance is particularly important, because the pass defense is not there to reassure either. The only real leader of the team, AJ Terrell seemed to accuse the step on certain games. Not ideal to always give confidence to the young Dee Alford and Clark Phillips III.
Player to watch: Kyle Pitts (WR/TE)
It seems somewhat redundant, by dint of repeating it. But Kyle Pitts is playing a crucial season in 2024. Drafted with great fanfare, straight out of college, the one who was supposed to be the impossible target to cover has continued to regress under Arthur Smith. By his own doing or by those around him? The change in technical staff will allow us to see things more clearly, and Atlanta seems determined to give him the benefit of the doubt, after exercising its automatic contract option to keep him for another year.
Author of a campaign with more than 1,000 yards for his rookie year, Pitts saw his second season shortened by injuries, but was only the second most prolific tight end in 2023 (with 667 yards) behind Jonnu Smith. Arthur Smith's trusted man having now left for Miami, Pitts has the cards in hand to reaffirm his effectiveness in the air. In addition to raw production in terms of yards, the former Gator is also and above all expected in the conclusion of drives, with only 6 touchdowns received in 3 years spent in the league.
Kyle Pitts, sometimes spectacular but not productive and decisive enough.
X-Factor: Red Zone Air Efficiency
More generally, if Atlanta wants to have a say in its division, the key will be to have a strong passing game. In addition to Kyle Pitts and Drake London, who are still on a solid campaign of over 900 yards, it is important to find a credible third target, at over 600 yards, capable of freeing up space for his partners and making this attack more spectacular and vertical.
Again, like the Pitts case, red zone production will inevitably have an impact on the 2024 season. With a 46% success rate when scoring touchdowns from the opponent's last 20 yards, Atlanta has the 3e worst student in this area last year (only the two New York teams did worse).
Atlanta Falcons 2024 Schedule
Steelers, @ Eagles, Chiefs, Saints, Buccaneers, @ Panthers, Seahawks, @ Buccaneers, Cowboys, @ Saints, @ Broncos, Chargers, @ Vikings, @ Raiders, Giants, @ Commanders, Panthers
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
After the head coach Arthur Smith is probably the General Manager Terry Fontenot who is playing very very big this season. Betting on teams that often end up so close and so far from the playoffs, trying risky bets on offensive stars in the first round of drafts, minimizing the franchise's shortcomings when it comes to defending against the pass … “TF” is once again trusting in youth, supervised by a veteran of the caliber of Kirk Cousins, to exploit the overall potential.
Again, on paper, the division is not insurmountable, and the Falcons' schedule is considered, ahead of the season, as one of the most “accommodating” on the board. The task therefore falls to Raheem Morris to finally improve such a group, under penalty of starting again more quickly than expected on yet another internal reconstruction.
