Atlanta Falcons 2024 NFL Draft Guide: What you need to know

Hello Falcons supporters! The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, so prepare with exclusive insights and analysis about your team.

Peruse the following information for insights on Atlanta’s forecasted selections, positional requirements, pick history, GM draft notes and more. All this data has been provided by the research team at the NFL.

And don’t forget to tune in on Thursday, April 25th at 8:00 p.m. ET for live coverage of the draft on NFL Network and NFL+.

Atlanta Falcons Draft Overview

2023 record: 7-10
Third in NFC South; missed playoffs

Falcons 2024 draft picks (8):

Round 1, pick 8
Round 2, pick 43
Round 3, pick 74
Round 3, pick 79 (acquired from Jacksonville Jaguars in Calvin Ridley trade)
Round 4, pick 109
Round 5, pick 143
Round 6, pick 187
Round 6, pick 197 (acquired from Cleveland Browns in Deion Jones trade)

Falcons team needs (according to Chad Reuter): Edge, Cornerback, Defensive Tackle, Safety, Quarterback

Projected Falcons first-round selection, via NFL.com draft analysts:

(See all projections at Mock Draft Central)

Falcons 2024 Opponents

Home

Steelers, Seahawks, Chiefs, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, Panthers, Buccaneers, Saints

Away

Commanders, Broncos, Vikings, Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers, Eagles, Raiders

Falcons Notable Activity Tracker (2024 offseason):

Falcons Decision Makers

Owner and Chairman: Arthur Blank

President and CEO: Rich McKay

General Manager: Terry Fontenot

Head Coach: Raheem Morris*

* New to role

Terry Fontenot

Fontenot is starting his fourth season as the Falcons’ General Manager.

Fontenot is the first Black General Manager in the history of the Falcons.

In his initial three seasons as GM (2021, 2022, 2023), ATL recorded a 7-10 record each year.

This is the sixth consecutive season that ATL has finished with seven or fewer wins.

Falcons Draft Notes

Terry Fontenot Era (Since 2021)

– 23 total players selected (12 offense, 11 defense)
– 1 Pro Bowler selected (TE Kyle Pitts)

All three 1st Round picks were among the overall top-8.

Has utilized all three first-round picks on offensive skilled players which include running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts.

Over his three drafts as the GM of ATL, Fontenot has made three draft picks within the top-8 overall.

In 2023, Running Back Bijan Robinson, who was ranked #8 overall, led Atlanta with 1,463 scrimmage yards.

Wide Receiver Drake London, who was ranked #8 overall in 2022, has led Atlanta with 1,771 receiving yards since 2022.

Since 2021, TE Kyle Pitts, who was 4th overall in 2021, has led the Atlanta Falcons with 2,049 receiving yards.

Under Fontenot’s general management from 2021 to 2023, the Atlanta Falcons have had four different starting quarterbacks.

Matt Ryan and Demond Ridder both have 17, Marcus Mariota has 13, and Taylor Heinicke has 4.

During the 2022 offseason, Fontenot traded Matt Ryan to IND.

DeAngelo Malone, a DE, was selected as #82 overall in 2022.

Over two NFL seasons, Malone started no games and had 1.0 sack.

In March 2024, the Falcons exchanged Desmond Ridder, their 3rd-round pick in 2022, for Cardinals’ wide receiver Rondale Moore.

Ridder had an 8-9 win-loss record, 14 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 84.1 over his two seasons with Atlanta.

As the General Manager of ATL, Fontenot has utilized a top-75 overall pick to select players for every offensive and defensive position, except for offensive tackle, interior defensive line, and cornerback. Notably, ATL has not chosen an offensive tackle in any round since 2021.

Highest drafted Falcons player by position, since 2021

Last time Falcons picked each position in first round:

Compiled by the NFL Research team. All data current as of April 16, 2024.