How the Falcons could play a key role in the mid-round picks
The Atlanta Falcons won’t be involved in the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft, as they currently don’t have a first-round pick. With just five selections overall and their first coming at No. 48, they’re working with one of the smaller draft pools in the league.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll be sitting back. In fact, Atlanta could still end up shaping how things unfold in the middle rounds more than some teams picking earlier on.
General manager Ian Cunningham has already said this will be the last time they go into a draft so short-handed. That suggests there’s an expectation within the building to be more active and aggressive rather than just standing by at pick 48.
Falcons can wait for value with roster questions not yet urgent
Atlanta has plenty to sort out. Kaleb McGary retired, and Jawaan Taylor is on a one-year deal, leaving the offensive tackle spot up in the air beyond this season. There are depth questions at edge rusher and uncertainty around James Pearce Jr. At cornerback, there’s no long-term partner for A.J. Terrell, and they still haven’t found a true No. 2 receiver.
But there’s less pressure to reach for a fix than in past years. Quarterback is set with Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, and free agency brought more depth across the board. That allows Atlanta to be patient with their first pick at 48 — they don’t need to chase an immediate starter just because of a roster gap.
Falcons expected to trade back from pick 48 and add draft capital
The Falcons are likely to move back rather than up. Cunningham wants more picks. With multiple needs, five picks aren’t enough, and the most straightforward way to add selections is by moving back from 48 into the middle of the second round, picking up extra Day 2 or Day 3 assets.
That strategy fits this part of the draft. The gap between pick 48 and pick 58 is smaller than between pick 13 and pick 23. Moving back ten spots could still land them a starter-level player while adding another selection.
The direction will depend on how quickly those three position groups come off the board in the first round. If all three go in a rush before pick 35, Atlanta may not have enough leverage at No. 48 to trade down as far as they want. There is also a limit to how far Cunningham can drop before giving up too much value.
The late second round looks weaker this year than usual — there could be over two rounds’ worth of difference between No. 48 and even No. 68, which was not true in previous drafts.
It’s also possible that teams shopping for quarterback or receiver help prefer targets projected for Round three instead of using premium capital in Round two on developmental options.
Falcons head into the draft with the flexibility that most teams don’t have
Teams making picks in the first round are under plenty of pressure. They’ve spent months tied to specific prospects, and those decisions will be judged immediately. The Falcons don’t face that scrutiny. With no first-round pick, they aren’t locked into a particular player or need at No. 48, giving them more freedom to adapt as the night unfolds.
That’s leverage, and on draft night, leverage matters. Atlanta can let the board come to them, see which teams are eager to move up and set their price accordingly. If someone unexpectedly drops to 48, they have the flexibility to make a move without second-guessing.
The Falcons won’t be picking in round one but will certainly be active behind the scenes once the early second round begins. That’s when players with first-round grades start sliding down boards, and trade offers begin piling up for general managers across the league.
Cunningham has positioned himself well because he isn’t boxed into any one approach this year. That kind of flexibility could prove valuable for a team looking to add depth across multiple spots on its roster.
Read more:
