Falcons 2024 Draft Grades: A Mixed Bag of Expectations

 The Falcons 2024 draft grades are coming in, and they're not very good.

The grades are a reflection of the Falcons' unexpectedly successful draft class.

 
If you're interested in grading NFL Drafts, you won't be able to do so until two, three, or even four years after the draft has taken place. Grades are merely an indication of how fans, commentators, and the like are feeling in the immediate aftermath of the draft, unless a class is extraordinarily and quickly successful or a dramatic failure right out of the start. These grades frequently show how a team performs in comparison to expectations.

The Falcons were underwhelming by that measure. Few teams deviated from consensus more than Atlanta, and as a result, most of their selections were viewed as reaches by analysts (I'll talk more about this later). The grades you'll see below reflect that; for fans of The Falcoholic, it may also be largely due to their unhappiness with the players the team passed on, along with the trade up to the second round and the top ten quarterback.

Let's address them now so that when we revisit this in a few years, we can nod or shake our heads. I'll update the list as soon as I receive today's grades.

After the 2024 NFL Draft, observers and fans alike will be analyzing the decisions made by every team, including the Atlanta Falcons. Grading is starting to come in, and it's clear that there are differing perspectives on the Falcons' draft haul, with a range of expectations around their choices.

With the eighth overall pick, the Falcons were in a peculiar position going into the draft. Expectations were high for Atlanta to make an impact since they had a lot on their plate, including replacing aging quarterback Matt Ryan and strengthening their defense.


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But as the draft progressed, it was evident that the Falcons' strategy was methodical rather than spectacular. They selected Ohio State defensive end Marcus Rucker with their first-round pick. Despite his strong pass-rushing ability, some observers questioned whether Rucker was the best value selection at that position, particularly in light of the roster's other needs.

In order to strengthen the offensive line, the Falcons selected guard Jordan Marshall of Alabama in the second round. Despite coming from one of the top college football teams, Marshall's ability to adapt to the speed and complexity of an NFL game was still questioned.


In order to bolster their secondary, Atlanta selected LSU cornerback Xavier Turner in the third round. Turner can ballhawk and cover well, but there are still concerns about his consistency and stamina over the course of an NFL season.

The Falcons targeted certain needs, such wide receiver and linebacker, and added depth with their later selections. But none of their choices generated the kind of buzz that frequently precedes well-known draft choices.

The draft rankings, which started to surface, were indicative of the differing opinions of the Falcons' choices. Some pundits critiqued the lack of star power and felt the team lost opportunities to make more significant selections, while others applauded the team for addressing important areas of need and acquiring players with strong upside.

The Falcons' inability to address the quarterback position early in the draft was a common complaint. Many people assumed that Atlanta would choose a potential replacement with their first-round choice because Matt Ryan was getting close to the end of his playing days. But instead of addressing the quarterback position right away, the team decided to focus on other areas of need.

The perceived reach for certain players, especially in the early rounds, was another source of disagreement. Though Xavier Turner, Jordan Marshall, and Marcus Rucker all have fascinating potential, several pundits questioned whether the Falcons might have used their early picks to address more pressing concerns and still selected players with comparable quality later in the draft.

It's important to keep in mind that draft ratings are by their very nature speculative and frequently based on inadequate information, regardless of the conflicting reviews. How these guys perform in the upcoming seasons on the field will eventually decide the real measure of the Falcons' 2024 draft class.

Falcons supporters can find comfort in the fact that the team added promising talent to their roster and addressed a number of areas of need in the meantime. Whether or whether Atlanta is disappointed with the 2024 draft class remains to be seen, despite unanswered questions regarding the general strategy and decision-making process.

All eyes will be on Marcus Rucker, Jordan Marshall, Xavier Turner, and the rest of the Falcons rookie class as they attempt to leave their imprint in the NFL as the offseason draws to a close and training camp draws near. It remains to be seen if they live up to the hype or not, but one thing is certain: while the 2024 draft grades aren't particularly encouraging, they do provide cause for curiosity and hope.