Heading into the offseason, the Falcons were widely considered one of the weakest teams in the league, mainly due to their struggles at the quarterback position despite holding the No. 8 overall pick in the draft for three consecutive years. Both Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke were ranked among the bottom five quarterbacks in the NFL, indicating a dire need for improvement to avoid another disappointing season.
To address this issue, the Falcons had two primary options: either pursue an experienced veteran quarterback capable of immediate success or target one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft. While initially considering the latter, it became evident that teams like the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots were not willing to trade their picks. This left the Falcons with the choice of making a strong push for quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield, viewed as the best options available to enhance their chances of winning in the current season.
Ultimately, Atlanta successfully outbid Minnesota for Kirk Cousins, securing a significant upgrade at the quarterback position. Cousins, prior to his Achilles injury, had been performing at a high level and has the potential to elevate the team, possibly becoming the top quarterback in the division and even the conference.
The acquisition of Cousins has drastically improved the Falcons’ outlook, evident in their substantial rise in NFL.com’s offseason power rankings, moving up 13 spots. They are now considered strong contenders, if not favorites, alongside the Buccaneers, to win the NFC South. This transformation underscores the importance of securing an established quarterback rather than relying on unproven rookies like Desmond Ridder.
Despite the positive changes, there are still areas, such as pass rush, that the Falcons need to address. However, their overall roster strength and realistic playoff aspirations position them well for the upcoming season, even if they fall short of Super Bowl expectations. As of now, they rank sixth in the NFC behind teams like the 49ers, Lions, Eagles, Packers, and Cowboys, a ranking deemed fair until they demonstrate their capabilities on the field.
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