Atlanta Falcons 2024 Draft Grade | PFF 

All I know is last year we had Ridder and Heineke and this year we have Cousins and Penix Jr. so take that for what you will.

He might have been ranked in the 30s but had we not drafted him at 8, no way he would have made it past the broncos or raiders

First genuine conversation about the pick that isn’t full of buzz words and “shock”.

I think it's a brilliant move because it is so forward-thinking. People get too lost in the weeds on $$ and draft capital. The analysis should be of the league itself which has gotten extremely QB-focused such that monkey-swinging to your next QB while holding onto your current one is the smart way to approach a franchise-build. Just saying that seeing what teams like the Packers and Chiefs have done. Otherwise you risk ending up in QB no man's land, usually jamming rookie QBs into no-win, terrible situations and then watching them flame out only to repeat the process again and again.

PFF is refreshing in its ability to be logical.😏

If folks didn't focus on a single season to rank these QB's, Penix would hands down be 1st overall with a 2 season sample size. He only has 35 rushing plays in each of the last 2 seasons, which means he's not bailing on the plays. This particular stat raises the pass play %, which he ranked highest out of the group. He had 2 fumbles in 6 years and minimal sacks. Look at Tom Brady's stats. That's his game. He also did this at schools that weren't known for Winning. They got a dude...

Arthur blank had to agree with them about penix jr, so why are you worried about the falcons draft, after all, it's his money. 😮

I am happy with Michael Penix Jr pick. Look what happen to The Jets last year. I bet they wish they would have picked a QB in the draft. Four snaps later their season was over. Now what do you think of the pick?

And I think it's important to note, it only took one pick to get Penix. Teams routinely trade multiple 1st round picks to get a franchise QB. And if Cousins is as good as we think, the only way the Falcons would be in a position to draft a top 10 QB is if they trade multiple 1st round picks.

Point that nobody seems to be making is you don’t know that penix will be there when you’re drafting

Y’all’s argument when we took Bijan Robinson at 8 was that RB wasn’t that valuable, now your argument is taking Penix at QB was too high despite QB being the MOST valuable position… tad wishy washy

Kirk Cousins was probably so shocked because he knows what can happen in this scenario. He got drafted same draft that RGIII was drafted second overall and Kirk eventually took his job.

2 things. Seahawks got an F draft grade in 2012 draft. The year they drafted Bobby Wagner, Bruce Irvin, Russell Wilson, Robert Turbin, and JR Sweezy. All of whom made the roster. They also signed a high priced FA QB that year, but decided to start Russell Wilson after he did well in the preseason. Even though everyone freaked out because they already had given that FA QB a big contract. Somehow they managed to make the playoffs with that rookie QB, and a SB win shortly after. Getting a poor draft grade and starting a rookie QB after you signed a high priced FA QB isn't the end of the world. Or even a sign things are going the wrong direction.

Beautiful said. Always great content (but right after our pick is questionable 🤔lol). Everyone is so shocked, but when we showed so much interest in him, I figured we had a chance to get either him or rattler and put $50 on us getting him and hit $650. Didn’t really think we’d get him this early in the first, but Penix processes better than everyone in the class, has the best spiral/ deep ball, a proven winner/ Leader , and runs a decent speed. Plus has the best ball placement (which in my opinion) is one of the best skills to translate to the NFL. Plus cuz going to win us a Super Bowl before he passes the Paton. Grooming Penix by the best person, at the best time. Thanks again

Its Kirk Cousins coming off a major injury, its a smart move I'm more mad about the trade up in the 2nd rd.

Good video 💯

17:11 you’re a madman and I love it!

I’m amazed it’s that high , complete trainwreck of a draft but with Fontenot and Raheem that isn’t Surprising

If penix was a reach , what was Nix-McCarthy?

This literally isn’t that shocking

Best discussion of this topic. Will subscribe. Data has shown Qb's who sit behind a veteran and learn (Tom, Aaron, Patrick, etc) typically have a higher success rate than those who don't. In the last 20 years I'm not even sure you can name a QB (Outside of Russel Wilson who had to compete with a vet) who won a superbowl after not sitting behind a veteran for atleast a few games or half the season to learn. Ben Roethlisberger comes to mind in 2004, and he only started in week 2 because Tommy Maddox got injured. NFL GM's and coaches instead keep wasting talent by throwing young unprepared qb's into the fire, then pushing them out after 2-3 years.

Finally mouthpieces that make sense

People are crazy. The falcons had the chance to draft fields and let him learn behind Matt Ryan. They been taking skill position players every draft. They finally decided to draft a position that matter and people are mad. This franchise has never won so they should start doing things differently. Look at what Tom Brady did in this weaker division in 2020. This team was good last year but Qb play was terrible, now you at least stand a chance to make some noise and people still mad smh.

How is the Falcons offense “stacked”? We have one proven and consistent receiver in London, and the biggest uncertainty of the offensive line is pass protection. They also chose to neglect the secondary entirely, whilst the pass rush is a bunch of rookies and erratic prospects from previous drafts.

Not even gonna mention how they traded up to draft Ruke instead of the #2 DT in this draft Johnny Newton???

I love this pick and I'll tell you now that the Falcons should keep evaluating QB's in every draft and they should definitely be looking for another one to add by the time Penix is in year 2 or 3 of playing. It's so dumb that teams routinely draft rotational guys, replacement guys or developmental guys at all the other positions on a team (aside from K/P) but don't try to find the next starting QB unless their guy is already failing or done, when that is the most important position in the NFL.

Around the 9:45 mark. Not sure how he is saying the 2 years doesn't matter. In his scenario we would draft a qb that is more than likely 21 22 and we would have 5 years of a low qb contract. Penix in two years is 26. And according to yall cap numbers it won't be until year 3 (27) when Atlanta has no high qb cap hit. So a 2 year window and then he'll get paid assuming penix is good. And right back to high qb contract on the books. To compare this is year 2 for cj stroud. The Texans are signing everyone they can right now to make a run. Next season they would have to cut a bunch of guys to make cap space

I'm tired of hearing this "if they loved Penix, then they should have signed a bridge qb instead of Cousins" bs...*especially* when they follow it with a Packers/Chiefs comparison. The entire point of having a qb sit is for them to learn the game on a professional level and thus, the starting qb inevitably becomes a mentor to the rookie. Love sat behind Rodgers and Mahomes sat behind Smith, both of whom were/are top tier qbs. From a strictly performance perspective (individual stats, not win loss record), Cousins is a top tier qb - potentially elite. If Penix truly is the future of the franchise, then spending all that money to get the best qb available for him to sit behind and learn from is money *well* spent. It's wild how rare and frowned upon planning for anything other than the immediate future is in the NFL, but I'm grateful to be a fan of one of the few teams in the league that do. On top of that, there honestly wasn't a single player they could've taken at 8 who would've gotten them any closer to a SB this year anyway. The $100m guaranteed to Cousins *should* at least buy their ticket to the 4 seed next year as NFC South champs though, meaning they shouldn't see another top 10 pick while Cousins is qb. Hell, they might not even have a first round pick next year after tampering. This was damn near a "now or never" situation, and I'm glad they went ahead and addressed it.

I think in theory its fine. My issue is the team chemistry and QB room. Not sure its best for a team to have this situation where some people with gravitate towards Penix and some to kirk. Sends mixed signals. I would of preferred to not sign Kirk and draft like always

You say they could get a bridge QB after Kirk and they just did that with Mariota and Ridder and it went horribly so this was the time to take a QB and let him sit learn and be a great starter when he plays!! I was skeptical at first but I’m happy now especially if he becomes great!! I also wish they had not moved up in the 2nd and kept a 3rd round pick and wish they had drafted Bullard or Smith I’m so tired of the Falcons not taking high value Dawgs !!!!!!

Totally agree with Sam on this one. The Falcons clearly value the years of sideline development Penix can have, this move makes absolutely no sense if they dont

Look, if we go with the viewpoint that the Falcons will be at least a playoff level team for the next two years with Cousins under center, picking high enough to get a succession plan is out of the question. It takes 2 years to develop an NFL QB. They were smart to take Penix now. What if the Falcons would have burned a 2 or 3 on Russell Wilson when he was available?

What I really hate about this narrative is that people act like whoever we take at 8 wouldve been an instant impact player. Latu, Turner, and Murphy are most likely going to be 5 sack guys next year.

I don't have a problem with ATL drafting Penix. What I do have a problem with is ATL signing Cousins to be the most expensive bridge QB in league history. That cap space could have been used elsewhere. If all you want is a bridge QB, pursue Brissett, not Cousins. That way, you can still have higher draft picks the next few years too.

So...... They are entitled to their opinion the fact still remains we have him....... They mad😂😂😂😂

Can’t believe the giants walked away from this draft with Danny dimes still as their Quarterback

Don’t care about draft grades because you don’t know if the draft is good until you see them play

TBF, they couldn’t be sure that they could get Penix in March. What if the Giants weren’t morons and decided to actually get a stud? What if NE loved Penix? Hedging your QB risk is smart. Surprised I’m aligned with these guys for once, but I don’t understand all the hate for this pick

I am glad I'm not in that QB room. How weird is that going to be. I was drafted 8th over all, and they are paying $100 million. And which guy do the rest of the players want on the field? It is going to be strange!!

You guys completely spun yourselves around on this one. If they really loved Penix like this, then they shouldn't have brought in Cousins. Now they have set themselves up for a divided locker room and a weaker supporting cast while wasting two years of a rookie QB contract. It's not that drafting Penix is inherently wrong OR that signing Cousins is indefensible. Doing BOTH in the SAME YEAR is indefensible. Cousins was signed only a month and a half earlier. Their scouting process would have already watched his tape. If you love him don't waste your time and money on Cousins. Let him go somewhere and take a competitor out of the QB market. Instead now you have a tampering charge AND a hole on your cap that will prevent you from putting pieces around Penix and a possible fractured locker room and disgruntled veteran and an older rookie QB who doesn't need to sit like Love did who is gathering cobwebs on the bench.

Cousins essentially has a 2-year deal paying him only $90 million guaranteed money over that span. Falcons prepared for the 2026 season by drafting a soon to be 24 year old prior to the 2024 season.

we could’ve just signed cousins and traded for fields and drafted an edge or wr

"Cousins Deal is only a 2 year contract" except the $35M dead cap in year 3(its not $25M PFF, its $35M, take a closer look at what becomes garaunteed on 3/17, 2025 ...) would be the 5th highest single dead money amount in NFL history right now. I like Penix for ATL but the Kirk contract looks terrible unless you do the mental gymnastics of deluding yourself into believing sitting behind Kirk Cousins is the only way Penix can develop. I like Penix a lot more if they didnt position his start to be inline with a top 10 dead money cut in NFL history for a 36 year old bridge QB coming off an achilles tear.

Penix is a winner...start the kid

Passed on a SEC DPOY for a backup qb...

Half of the qbs drafted in the 1st round will bomb. Initial draft grades are basically useless

They started that tampering rumor cause they wanted the first round pick

It does not make sense. They will either have an extremely highly drafted QB on the bench or an extremely highly paid QB on the bench. The odds of Penix or any other QB will be a top QB aren’t good.

Since 1994, only 3 QBs have won Super Bowls on rookie contracts. Please stop propagating the idea that the rookie QB contract leads to championships. There are other premium positions that can net similar savings in the aggregate. Bucs had an elite RT and DT on a rookie contract, so they had plenty to go around. If you hit on picks, the 40-50 Mil for a QB isn’t going to stop success.

You mention Washington they made the playoffs with Kirk and had 2 winning seasons in 3 years after Kirk left the Redskins went to 16 Wins 33 Losses 1 Tie and they have had 11 QBs who busted including 1st Round Draft Pick had no winning seasons and never made the playoffs.

I think you’ve all been taken in by the rationalizations after the fact. They basically paid 100mil guaranteed for a qb and then completely undermined his position creating a likely qb controversy. If Penix sits 2 years, you’re taking two years from a guy who’s going to be ready before that and will be 26-27 years old. Then you have the lack of cap flexibility that will prevent you from signing guys. And then there’s just messing with KC’s mind at the end of his career while Penix loses two years. And then there’s the opportunity cost of taking P. instead of drafting a potential starter who can help the team reach higher. None of this makes sense as a deliberate plan.

They could have gotten Cousins for 8 million for 1 year and had 92 million for free agents. Worst signing in NFL history. At least Deshan Watson was young and healthy and in demand.

Falcons went from the worst QB room to something the fans can be excited about in 1 offseason. Everyone acting like they're stupid for fixing the QB situation is hilarious, especially since they have the cap space to do it.

Penix is injury insurance.

PFF was idiotic to rate Penix 32!! There were politics involved, but they wont admit it. Everybody knew Penix would go top 13 and that he was a better college QB than any of the other dudes. Baldy predicted top 13, Leaf said he was QB 1. Raiders were plannng to take him at 13. Vikings tried to move up to get him, but were stymied.

For Me: Falcons: D or D-

Y’all love bringing up Kirk contract. WE DID NOT KNOW PENIX WAS GONNA FALL TO 8 BEFORE THE DRAFT. Why y’all gotta problem with ppl spending money on a qb anyway when y’all been bashing tf outta qbs

When your GM checks all the boxes except the one where he knows WTF he is doing.

kirk got his retirement money and atl has $100 mil problem. lol

Falcons could have had Rome Odunze or Brock Bowers instead they alienated both quarterbacks and their fanbase to ask a 24 year old rookie drafted 8th overall to sit for 2 years. Should have drafted a backup GM and coach while they were at it

I cant wait for the falcons to prove you’re cute little stats wrong

Kenneth diehard dedicated falcon fan an f----

What if after 2 years Kirk Cousins is playing at a top 10 level? 57 million will be cheap for a top 10 QB in 2 years you get that right. You don't just automatically release a top 10 QB for a QB when QBs taken in 1st round bust at an 80 percent level. And the cap will have gone up significantly in 2 years THIS IS A VERY BAD TAKE!!!!

There is no such thing as a QB can only take you so far Stafford won 0 playoff games in DET and had a losing regular season goes to new team wins a SB. Why would LA trade a young QB with winning regular season record who had been to SB and had 3 playoff wins and draft picks for a reg. season/playoff loser like Stafford BECAUSE PAST PERFORMANCE doesn't dictate future success or how far you can go. THIS SHOW IS REALLY DUMB especially since it claims to be analytics based.

When someone takes advantage of the big board, you give them props. When someone reaches, you talk about all the ways it might work out. Are these millionaire GMs you're covering too sensitive for honest criticism? Is that why PFF is so lame when it comes to its evals?

They will be Talking Arthur blank off a bridge in a year or two !😮😮😮

The shocking thing, Folks still Dumb enough to call this shocking. I guess when most folks only know how to play checkers while the Falcons are now playing Chess, those other folks playing checkers would never understand anyway.

Kirk Cousins is a top 8 or 10 QB? in what universe is that? Career 78 wins to 70 losses 2 ties record vs teams above .500 is 16 wins to 47 losses (Think about that.. in 13 years he only won vs a team with a winning record 16 times) 1 playoff win in 13 years This is top 10?... yall are insane with this overrating Kirk Cousins. This is a average QB. How do people come to the conclusion he a top 10 QB? HOW DID HE MAKE THE FALCONS A AUTOMATIC PLAYOFF TEAM????? You guys are in delusion land on who Kirk Cousins is He has made it too the playoff 4 times in 13 years!!!!...... ONE PLAYOFF WIN... we have had 3 US presidents in this time.

Their FO chose Raheem Morris over the greatest DC in NFL History when their defense is the problem 😂😂😂

Its literally 9 minutes of pedantic prattle

Everyone crying cause the falcons messed up the draft😂😂 or took your qb😂😂 Falcons wins this draft and everyone crying

OMG YOU DON"T HAVE TO PICK FROM THE SLOT YOU GET do you know what teams do all the time to get QBs they TRADE UP SF BUF CHI KC etc etc all traded up to get their top 10 QBs ATL could do this too you're not DOOMED to pick from the slot you're slotted in even MIN moved up this year LOLOLOLOLOL this is the lowest IQ take on the trade I have seen PFF is a joke

The Falcons are a CLOWN SHOW! Signing Cousins is a mistake on its own. He’s 36, average at best, and coming off an achilles. Desperate franchise doing anything possible for the smallest shred of relevancy. Then instead of adding blue chip talent to an awful defense you draft his replacement?! Who’s an older prospect with massive injury history. There’s nothing that justifies that pick. If you love Penix; sign Wilkins and Young in FA then draft him and roll. If you’re going Cousins; sign him then draft Odunze to maximize your offense or take the best defensive player on your board. Doing both completely STUNTS the development of Penix and wastes YEARS of the rookie QB scale. What a joke!!!!

Love the Penix pick at 8 if the Falcons never signed Cousins or signed a cheap bridge.