The Atlanta Falcons‘ offense figures to look plenty different in 2024, with a slew of adjustments coming to the franchise during the offseason.
Kirk Cousins is set to take over as the team’s starting quarterback, despite the organization’s surprising decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick, and he’ll work under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Last year’s first-round pick, Bijan Robinson, expressed excitement Monday over what’s to come in Atlanta, indicating that he and his new coordinator had already discussed how the team intends to use him this season.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the running back detailed how the goal is ultimately to utilize his skills in a fashion similar to that of how the San Francisco 49ers deploy Christian McCaffrey.
“I’m gonna be more of a runner that does everything else. I don’t know what the plan is, but it’s like run first, like I did in college, but still having that access to go to receiver, still having that access to do creative things out the backfield,” Robinson said.
#Falcons RB Bijan Robinson says the plan is for him to be used like Christian McCaffrey in the new offense under OC Zac Robinson.
“More so like how they use Christian [McCaffrey] down there in San Francisco. Something like that, that’s kind of what the plan is,” he added.
The Falcons ranked 26th in scoring last year, averaging just 18.9 points per game. During his rookie campaign, Robinson scored eight total touchdowns and ran the ball 214 times for 976 yards. He also made 58 receptions for 487 yards, showing his versatility as a pass-catching back.
He’s hoping to see his workload in both categories increase in 2024, and McCaffrey, who had a historic year in ’23, is certainly a figure worthy of emulating. That’s easier said than done, but the former No. 8 overall pick may be the rare back who can realistically aspire to do so.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were overlooked last season after the retirement of Tom Brady, with many predicting them to finish last in the NFC South.
Obviously, that didn’t occur with Tampa Bay winning the division for a third consecutive season—GM Jason Licht kept receipts of the doubters and let one familiar reporter know about it.
Licht might be keeping receipts again because many football pundits have been talking about the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. The arrival of Kirk Cousins gave Atlanta the headlines—and again after the draft selection of Michael Penix Jr.
But the under-the-radar Buccaneers made many savvy moves this offseason, and the same can be said for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.
Here’s how we view the rosters in the NFC South with free agency and the draft in the rearview mirror.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were wise to prioritize Bryce Young’s surroundings this offseason, which could lead to a much-improved offensive unit under the guidance of new coach Dave Canales. But both sides of the football still have a long way to go before turning into a playoff roster.
After heavily relying on Adam Thielen last season, the Panthers added help for the veteran wideout and their young QB. They formed a diverse receiving corps with the trade for downfield threat Diontae Johnson and first-round selection of Xavier Legette, a 6'3," 227-pound wideout who could thrive on the outside, especially with contested catches. The second-round selection of running back Jonathon Brooks should give the backfield a boost after a dismal season for the rushing attack. On paper, Young appears to be better set up for success in Year 2, especially behind a revamped offensive line with newcomer guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. If they get production from left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, the 2022 first-round pick, perhaps the Panthers go from the bottom of the standings to flirting with a .500 season. This is still far from an elite unit, though.
As for the defense, the Panthers could have a tough time replacing Brian Burns, who was traded to the New York Giants, with a veteran rotation of edge rushers including D.J. Wonnum, Jadeveon Clowney and K’Lavon Chaisson. Perhaps that could be enough with stud defensive tackle Derrick Brown anchoring the middle of the defensive line. The linebacker group could be better with free-agent addition Josey Jewell. And so could the secondary if they get a healthy season from cornerback Jaycee Horn, the 2021 first-round pick.
3. New Orleans Saints
The Saints made a bunch of moves in the offseason that could benefit Derek Carr and his explosive receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. It’s tough, however, to gauge whether the Saints view Carr as a long-term answer at quarterback after a rollercoaster first season in New Orleans.
The Saints might be tied to Carr for at least two more seasons with the way his contract was constructed. But the team took a chance on Spencer Rattler, the intriguing fifth-round selection with potential upside. If Carr finds consistency in Year 2 with the Saints, he might not have to worry about Rattler.
The team parted with veteran guard Andrus Peat and drafted a potential replacement in rugged blocker Taliese Fuaga with a first-round pick. But Fuaga might be best at right tackle, a position that currently belongs to veteran Ryan Ramczyk, who has injury concerns. If Fuaga starts the season at guard, that likely means the Saints haven’t given up on left tackle Trevor Penning, the 2022 first-round pick who has struggled the past two years. Versatile playmakers Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill are back in New Orleans to make this an intriguing offense if the blockers allow Carr time to operate.
The defense has plenty of household names, but many are in the back end of their prime. They got younger with the free-agent addition of edge rusher Chase Young to help veteran Cameron Jordan. But Young has had mixed results throughout his career, even during his short stint with the San Francisco 49ers last season. The team will need 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee to step up and aid the interior of the defensive line. The secondary should remain a strength with rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry joining Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins has had an interesting start with the Falcons, to say the least.
On one hand, Cousins is joining a team rich with skill players, including Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, and will get to work with coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, two former Rams assistants who had plenty of success under Sean McVay. But on the other hand, he left the Minnesota Vikings at least partially because he was told they were aiming to draft his successor in the first round. That scenario occurred in Atlanta a month after joining the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract. The team created an awkward dilemma with the first-round selection of Michael Penix Jr., a move that could pay off in the long run but doesn’t do much in 2024.
Cousins and the Falcons have a good enough roster to make noise in the NFC South, but missed an opportunity to draft an immediate impact player to make them more than divisional contenders. Putting aside the quarterback dilemma, the Falcons have stability on the offensive line and added depth at wide receiver with Rondale Moore, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. One will need to step up as the No. 2 wideout behind London, who was often open last season to no avail as his signal-callers failed to get him the ball. Pitts might finally put it together on the field with Cousins and a new coaching staff.
The defense will probably build off its promising 2023 season due to the arrival of Morris, who flourished as the Rams’ defensive coordinator the past three seasons and won a Super Bowl in L.A. Atlanta boasts a strong secondary with safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback A.J Terrell, and the defensive front could be better with talented Day 2 picks Ruke Orhorhoro and Bralen Trice.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If Baker Mayfield’s 2023 season proves not to be a fluke, the Buccaneers will be well positioned themselves to capture the NFC South title for the fourth consecutive season.
Mayfield might no longer have offensive play-caller Canales, who’s now coaching the Panthers, but they retained his best wide receiver in Mike Evans, who signed a lucrative contract extension this offseason, and improved the offensive line with the first-round selection of Graham Barton, possibly the best center in the draft. With stud left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the Buccaneers could have the best offensive line in the division, which would be a plus for running back Rachaad White, who impressed last season. But the Buccaneers could use another pass catcher to go with Chris Godwin, Evans and tight end Cade Otton. Perhaps Trey Palmer or rookie Jalen McMillan will emerge as a reliable target for Mayfield.
Considering the production coach Todd Bowles received last season, the Bucs might have the best defense in the division. The front should be ferocious with former Pro Bowler Vita Vea and 2023 rookie standouts YaYa Diaby and Calijah Kancey. The team also drafted edge rusher Chris Braswell in the second round and signed veteran Randy Gregory. K.J. Britt and Lavonte David form a productive linebacker duo, and the secondary is filled with talent, including All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. If Mayfield can maintain the level of play he did last year, Tampa Bay should return to the playoffs with even more receipts.
Many were ready to pencil in the Atlanta Falcons as the NFC South winners for their 2024 NFL playoff predictions. That might have changed after the Falcons made their stunning selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the 2024 NFL draft.
The signal-caller out of Washington should help the Falcons in the future, but he didn’t make them better in the present, allowing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers to close the gap on the talented Falcons, who added immediate impact players with their first-round selections.
Kirk Cousins, who was signed in free agency to a four-year, $180 million deal, was left scratching his head at the Falcons’ first-round pick. But a few other teams in the NFC also made questionable moves during last week’s three-day draft as well.
Let’s examine how each NFC team did in the 2024 draft by ranking them from 16 to 1. Don’t expect a surprise for No. 16 …
16. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons used the No. 8 pick on Penix, who’s ready to start now after six years of college experience, including guiding Washington to the national title game. Instead of Penix following in the paths of Russell Wilson and Brock Purdy starting as rookies, he will have to wait his turn for a year or two, maybe three. And let’s not forget that Cousins’s contract includes guarantees of $90 million in the first two years with a $10 million option in Year 3.
The Falcons didn’t want to wait on a quarterback-succession plan, opting for what the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers did with Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love despite not having a deep roster as those teams did. The Falcons, who haven’t made the postseason since 2017, dismissed the present for the future and passed on adding an immediate contributor with their first-round pick. Now the pressure is on second-round defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and third-round edge rusher Bralen Trice to produce right away.
15. Seattle Seahawks
Murphy gives the Seahawks three stout defensive tackles.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Seahawks deserve credit for adding defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, even though they have committed plenty of money to Leonard Williams and Dre’Mont Jones. Murphy fits the scheme of new coach Mike Macdonald, but now the Seahawks have a dilemma with a log jam at the position. Murphy will likely receive starter’s snaps because he excels at stopping the run, a weakness of the Seahawks the past few seasons.
Without a second-round pick, the rest of the Seahawks’ draft class seems a bit underwhelming. But the Seahawks have plenty of talent throughout the roster. Perhaps all they need for a bounce-back season is for Macdonald to get the star-studded defense on the same page, which became easier with the selection of Murphy.
14. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers might have prioritized need more than taking the best player available when it came to adding a wide receiver. They found their physical outside receiver, selecting 6'3," 227-pound Xavier Legette with the last pick in the first round. Carolina took Legette over Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Adonai Mitchell. Time will tell if the Panthers selected the right receiver for Bryce Young and new coach Dave Canales.
Taking the best running back prospect in Jonathon Brooks should give Carolina a balanced attack after a dismal ground game in 2023. Overall, the Panthers added help for Young and found a way to gain a first-round pick.
13. Dallas Cowboys
Judging from the social media criticism, the Cowboys’ draft class likely received a low grade from most football pundits. But it wasn’t as bad as many made it seem because they prioritized the offensive line. Sure, the Cowboys haven’t made it to a conference title game this millennium, but they became perennial playoff contenders because they rarely neglected the trenches, drafting Zack Martin and Tyler Smith. They quickly found their Tyron Smith replacement with the first-round selection of Tyler Guyton, a left tackle with plenty of upside.
Dallas also continued loading up on edge rushers, adding Marshawn Kneeland in the second round to fill the void of Dorance Armstrong, who left in free agency to join the Washington Commanders. It’s never a bad draft strategy to add offensive and defensive linemen. But the Cowboys failed to address their needs at running back and inside linebacker. They also could have used another receiver to go with CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.
12. New York Giants
Nabers has the makings of the next Odell Beckham Jr. or Ja'Marr Chase
SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA
Perhaps the Giants should be ranked lower than 12th on this list, but they landed standout wideout Malik Nabers with their No. 6 pick. Nabers has the makings of the next Odell Beckham Jr. or Ja’Marr Chase. Nabers’s explosiveness will expand the playbook for coach Brian Daboll, making him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Daniel Jones gets another shot to prove himself with a dangerous downfield threat in Nabers—unless you’re buying the hype of Drew Lock possibly taking Jones’s job this summer. But the Giants likely know by now that Jones won’t ever reach elite QB status in the NFL. They had an opportunity to move up from No. 6 to third to select Drake Maye, but couldn’t come to a trade agreement with the New England Patriots.
11. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers passed on wide receivers who had more hype from the draft experts to select Ricky Pearsall with the 31st pick. San Francisco deserves the benefit of the doubt because Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk weren’t high-profile prospects when the team selected them. The 49ers might be forced to decide between Samuel and Aiyuk because they have drafted so well in recent years and don’t have enough cap space to keep all of their star players.
San Francisco gave itself flexibility with the Samuel-Aiyuk dilemma by adding Pearsall, who should be ready to slide in as a starter if Samuel or Aiyuk leave during the 2025 offseason. The best teams create options and plan ahead.
10. Minnesota Vikings
If J.J. McCarthy was the target all along, the Vikings played this well by only trading up one spot to get him at No. 10 instead of moving into the top five to select the Michigan quarterback. But Minnesota took a risk by banking on the fifth quarterback taken in the draft. As history has shown, it’s rare when five quarterbacks from one draft class develop into legitimate franchise signal-callers.
The Vikings tried to trade three first-round picks to the Patriots for the right to draft Maye, who likely has the best skill set among all of the QB prospects. McCarthy's ceiling might not be as high as the others, but he proved at Michigan he can run an efficient offense and will now get to throw to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. By not getting desperate for a quarterback, the Vikings also added Dallas Turner at No. 17 to pair with free-agent signing Jonathan Greenard.
9. Green Bay Packers
Morgan could compete for the starting left tackle job for the Packers.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Packers failed to add a top offensive tackle in last year’s draft, but they didn’t make that same mistake again, one they couldn’t afford because of the departure of David Bakhtiari. Jordan Morgan, the 25th pick, could compete for the left tackle job against Rasheed Walker, who filled in admirably for the injured Bakhtiari in 2023.
Morgan also has the flexibility to play guard, which could explain why the Packers chose him over Guyton, the Cowboys’ first-round pick. In the second round, the Packers took the first off-ball linebacker with Edgerrin Cooper. Perhaps the Texas A&M product could flourish as an immediate starter. Green Bay has invested plenty of draft picks in recent years on defensive players, but hasn’t received many positive returns.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Canales now calling the plays for Young, the Buccaneers needed to find another way to make life easier for Baker Mayfield, who received a lucrative contract extension after a career year with Canales as the offensive play-caller in Tampa Bay. They did that by drafting center Graham Barton with the No. 26 pick. On paper, the Bucs’ offensive line has come a long way since 2022, when the unit failed to protect Tom Brady during his final season.
With a stout offensive line, Mayfield is well positioned to prove his 2023 season was no fluke. Coach Todd Bowles’s defense got better with second-round selection Chris Braswell, who will join last year’s standout rookie edge rusher Yaya Diaby.
7. New Orleans Saints
The Saints had a sensational start to the draft, selecting offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the first and second rounds, respectively. New Orleans had concerns at tackle with Ryan Ramczyk’s injury issues and Trevor Penning’s struggles on the field. Now they have less problems with the arrival of Fuaga, arguably the best run blocker in the draft.
Fuaga probably will start at right tackle, but he would fix more problems if he’s able to play left tackle. The Penning experience hasn’t worked out and it might be better for New Orleans to move him as a backup tackle. As for McKinstry, it won’t be easy for him to earn a starting job, but he adds youth to a veteran-filled defense. The Saints need more draft picks to become cornerstone pieces to finally gain cap-space flexibility.
6. Arizona Cardinals
Harrison has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and A.J. Green.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals didn’t overthink it and took Marvin Harrison Jr., possibly the best prospect in the draft. Yes, the Cardinals have many needs and would have benefited from the extra picks had they traded out of the No. 4 spot. But you don’t pass on a wide receiver prospect as good as Harrison, who has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and A.J. Green.
Kyler Murray will benefit from Harrison’s presence, as will offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who had impressive game plans in 2023 despite a poor roster. After taking the dominant Harrison, the Cardinals added Darius Robinson, who could be Arizona's best pass rusher this upcoming season. He’ll join a defensive unit lacking talent outside of safety Budda Baker.
5. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams filled defensive needs with two standout prospects. First, they took edge rusher Jared Verse to pair him with Byron Young, last year’s rookie standout. They followed that by moving up from No. 52 to 39 to select defensive tackle Braden Fiske, who impressed many at the Senior Bowl.
Fiske will have the pressure of filling the massive void left by the retirement of Aaron Donald, but he won’t have to do it alone because the Rams planned ahead. Last year, they drafted Young and defensive tackle Kobie Turner, who became a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. L.A. lost a legend in Donald, but now have four intriguing players on the defensive line. Also, the Rams were wise to select running back Blake Corum in the third round. He has a similar skill set to last year’s breakout star Kyren Williams. They should form a dominant duo, and Corum could help as a starter in case Williams deals with injuries again.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles neglected the secondary last offseason and it cost them during their end-of-season collapse. The secondary should be much improved after Philadelphia added cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and defensive back Cooper DeJean. Mitchell could soon take over as the team’s No. 1 outside cornerback because of his elite traits and athleticism. DeJean will probably flourish in Vic Fangio’s scheme because he can play cornerback and safety.
And it wouldn’t be a Howie Roseman draft without him taking at least one edge rusher. Third-round pick Jalyx Hunt has plenty of upside and could quickly find a rotational role behind Josh Sweat and Bryce Huff.
3. Detroit Lions
Similar to the Eagles, the Lions addressed their secondary needs with a pair of first-round defensive backs. Detroit gets the nod over Philadelphia because Terrion Arnold might be one of the safest picks in the draft. He’s a polished technician with a similar skill set to Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon. Arnold going at No. 24 could end up being the steal of the draft.
The Lions didn’t settle at cornerback and took Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round. The Lions swung and missed on cornerback Cameron Sutton, who was released recently after being a top free-agent addition in 2023. Arnold should be a Day 1 starter, joining last year’s rookie sensation Brian Branch and veteran newcomer Carlton Davis III. It likely won’t take Rakestraw long to crack the cornerback rotation in Detroit.
2. Washington Commanders
Daniels gives the Commanders a chance at long-term success.
Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY Sports
Jayden Daniels is set up for long-term success after all of the savvy moves Washington has made in its first offseason with a new owner, GM and head coach.
Daniels received a talented tight end in Ben Sinnott, a second-round pick. Daniels also might have the luxury of playing with a much-improved defense. The Commanders’ first pick in the second round was defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, who was viewed by many as a first-round prospect. The Commanders’ second second-round pick was cornerback Mike Sainristil. Coach Dan Quinn now has enough talent to turn the Washington defense from one of the worst to a respectable unit in 2024.
1. Chicago Bears
The Bears could have two Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates after using their two top-10 picks on Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. On paper, GM Ryan Poles executed one of the best trades in recent years after flipping last year’s No. 1 pick to the Panthers for wide receiver DJ Moore and many draft picks, including two that turned into offensive tackle Darnell Wright and Williams.
But this trade won’t be remembered positively for years to come without Williams turning into an elite quarterback. The pressure is on the USC product, but the Bears have built an ideal surrounding for the top pick, with the trade for Keenan Allen and selection of Odunze, the savvy route router who can create plays on the outside and in the slot. Start the Bears’ hype train because they might be fun to watch with their two top-10 picks.
The NFL offseason continues on, but that doesn't have to stop us from keeping an eye on the NFL futures market!
The top of the Super Bowl oddsboard is dictated by the two teams that made it to the big game last season with the San Francisco 49ers slightly favored over the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl 59.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are once again viewed as a true contender to win the Super Bowl for a third straight year with the team set to return a majority of its core, but it's the 49ers who have the edge at the top of the oddsboard.
It's worth noting that the Niners are in the far easier conference relative to the AFC, and that's indicated in the odds. After the two aforementioned teams, the AFC has seven of the 12 other teams that have shorter than 25-1 odds.
Moreso, three of the next four teams are in the AFC with the Ravens, Bengals and Bills all viewed as legitimate threats to win the Super Bowl this season.
With training camp still a few months away, it's worth keeping an eye on more movement in the Super Bowl odds ahead of the 2024 season.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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