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Player Outlooks (2024)
QB Kirk Cousins: Cousins isn’t happy with the Falcons taking Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he’s the unquestioned starter after signing a four-year, $180-million deal—and enters a situation with a great offensive line and three top-ten picks set to be unleashed. Although Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles, he was playing perhaps the best football of his career in 2023, and the system is one the soon-to-be 36-year-old should be comfortable with under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (formerly with the Rams). Because of the injury and tough potential matchups to begin the season (v PIT, @ PHI), consider Cousins more of a QB2 this summer.
QB Michael Penix Jr.: We thought Penix was worth a top-ten pick if he had a clean bill of health after four season-ending injuries in college, but Atlanta taking him was a shock after the investment in Cousins—and the rookie will probably be on the bench for at least two seasons before he becomes the starter. If there’s an injury, though, the arm talent and aggressiveness of Penix would immediately make him a weekly streamer for a team with good weapons and high expectations.
RB Bijan Robinson: Despite what felt like a disappointing rookie campaign, Robinson still finished with 1,463 total yards and the ninth-most fantasy points at running back—which speaks to his talent level and how well-rounded he is as a player. The production came with the Falcons struggling offensively, but Kirk Cousins should change that, and Robinson should get more goal-line opportunities to further boost his outlook. Also, Bijan should be treated as a workhorse for a team that expects to compete for a Super Bowl, and he is among several options with a strong case to be the second runner taken behind Christian McCaffrey.
RB Tyler Allgeier: Allgeier saw exactly 12.0 touches per game last year despite the Falcons spending the No. 8 overall pick on Bijan Robinson, but it would be a surprise if the BYU product didn’t see his workload scaled back in 2024—making him more of a handcuff than standalone FLEX option. On the bright side, there is limited competition for touches behind Robinson, so Allgeier could realistically have RB1/RB2 upside with high touchdown upside (on an improved offense) if used as the starter.
RB Jase McClellan: Taken in the sixth round of April’s draft, McClellan can be a slashing depth option for Atlanta’s backfield, and he notably came in bigger than expected at 221 pounds during the pre-draft process. An injury to Bijan Robinson could likely lead to the rookie handling five-to-eight touches behind Allgeier with room for more if he impresses in training camp.
WR Drake London: London only has six touchdowns in 33 games to begin his career, but the hope is that Kirk Cousins will unlock the upside of a guy that showed a skillset comparable to Mike Evans when he was at USC—so there is increased upside both down the field and in scoring territory. For what it’s worth, London had 125 yards and 172 yards last year in two games with double-digit targets, and he won’t turn 23 until late July. We like London as a high-end, high-ceiling WR2 option.
WR Darnell Mooney: Mooney battled some injuries and dealt with sub-par quarterback play over the past two seasons in Chicago, but Atlanta liked his potential enough to sign him to a three-year, $39-million contract—and it’s not like the move was a complete projection with Mooney already having a 1,000-yard season in his career. The trio of former top-ten picks in Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts will be the focus for the Falcons, but Mooney shouldn’t go overlooked as a FLEX option in favorable spots.
WR Rondale Moore: The Falcons acquired Moore in the offseason for quarterback Desmond Ridder, and the path is wide open for the former Purdue standout to be a full-time player alongside Drake London and Darnell Mooney at wide receiver. A top-heavy attack is the concern, but Moore should be in a system that plays to his strengths, and he had 178 rushing yards and a score as a runner last year—something Zac Robinson can keep going as a branch of the Shanahan/McVay tree.
WR KhaDarel Hodge: Hodge has been a clear role player throughout his career, but he’s been highly efficient with 10.1 yards per target in both seasons with the Falcons—and he’s a name at least worth filing away with Kirk Cousins now under center. Basically, emerging as the No. 3 option if someone goes down and having success similar to K.J. Osborn (650+ receiving yards in back-to-back seasons with Cousins) is possible.
WR Ray-Ray McCloud: McCloud was signed by the Falcons for the value he brings as a returner, but he also had a natural fit as the backup to Rondale Moore with an ability to contribute via manufactured touches. For his career, McCloud has 90 receptions across six seasons and has rushed 15 times for 192 yards (12.8 YPC) and one touchdown on the ground.
WR Casey Washington: Another sixth-round rookie taken by Atlanta in the 2024 NFL Draft, Washington is looking to crack the roster as the No. 6 wide receiver—but a Year 1 impact would be surprising. We’d anticipate Washington being drafted as someone the Falcons believe could be a core special-teamer, and he didn’t catch a touchdown until his fifth year at Illinois.
TE Kyle Pitts: Pitts has averaged 3.0 receptions, 37.9 receiving yards, and 0.2 touchdowns per game over the past two seasons, and even his 1,000-yard campaign as a rookie in 2021 was considered a letdown by some with just one touchdown. However, the former No. 4 overall pick battled through a knee injury for 17 games last season, has dealt with sub-par quarterback play, and didn’t get featured enough under the previous coaching staff. So, the talent is not in question, and Pitts again has a high-end TE1 ceiling entering the best situation of his career.
TE Charlie Woerner: Atlanta signing Woerner to a three-year, $12-million contract this offseason is notable, but he’s locked into the blocking role alongside Kyle Pitts after just 11 receptions for 120 yards across the past four years playing behind George Kittle.
Other Notes
Best IDP value: CB Clark Phillips III
Phillips was great when he entered the starting lineup for the Falcons as a rookie, and now he’s set to be a clear starter across from A.J. Terrell—while also having versatility to defend the slot. At Utah, had nine interceptions across three seasons, and four of them were returned for a touchdown, so the playmaking ability is there to match the stickiness in coverage.
Stat to know (via draft guide)
In 18 games with Kirk Cousins over the past two years, T.J. Hockenson averaged 8.6 targets per game; Kyle Pitts has averaged 5.9 targets per game in his career.