Heading into the 2023 NFL season there was a lot of hype surrounding the Atlanta Falcons with big-time weapons Bijan Robinson, Jessie Bates and a healthy Kyle Pitts in their lineup.  

There was even a lot of faith in second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder starting under center. 

Unfortunately, this team has just been one big disappointment… again. 

At 5-6 on the season, the Falcons are currently leading the NFC South and there's still hope for playoffs, however, the reality is that this team is not a true contender. 

You'd think after three drafts under Terry Fontenot that wouldn't be the case, but it has been, and it all starts with their quarterback situation. 

With the Falcons' 2023 season almost in the rearview mirror — unless they somehow pull off a miracle playoff run — it's time to start turning our focus to the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Atlanta has seven draft picks in 2024, but for now, we're just going to take a look at their five biggest draft needs. 

5 Biggest Draft Needs for the Falcons 

QUARTERBACK

It was fun rooting for Ridder at first, but after Week 3's 20-6 loss to the Detroit Lions, we quickly learned that he wasn't going to be Atlanta's long-term answer. 

Thankfully, the upcoming draft class runs deep at the QB position. 

There are top prospects in Caleb Williams out of USC and Drake Maye from UNC. Other QB talent to consider is Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix, LSU’s Jayden Daniels Jr., and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. 

If the Falcons don't address their quarterback need with a trade, then they're going to need to make it their top priority ahead of the draft. 

EDGE 

The Falcons have not logged more than 30 sacks since 2018. 

They believed that they had found the answer to their pass rush problem by adding veteran edges Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree to their defense alongside Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Arnold Ebiketie and Ta'Quon Graham. 

Sure, Campbell and Dupree were a nice boost to their defensive front, but they're still missing a speedy edge — which is something the 2024 NFL Draft has plenty of.

If Atlanta doesn't select a quarterback first, then they'll need to make edge their top priority. But if they do invest in a quarterback with their first pick, there will still be a handful of quality Day 2 edges to pick from, including Ohio State's Jack Sawyer and Alabama's Chris Braswell, who are projected to go off the draft board a bit later. 

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Right tackle Kaleb McGary had a standout game bullying New Orleans Saints star Cam Jordan in Week 12, but that may have been the only time in his career that he's truly played like a first-round pick. 

The Falcons need to draft a versatile and athletic lineman who can provide depth along the offensive line before eventually taking over McGary's starting job down the road. 

WIDE RECEIVER

Atlanta's future new QB1 deserves another wide receiver to target.

Drake London is the Falcons' clear No. 1 wideout. Tight end Kyle Pitts has become their No. 2 option, but they need a real No. 2 wideout to complete their offense.

The Falcons could even draft two wideouts in the upcoming draft, giving themselves an even better cushion at the position. 

SAFETY

Ballhawk safety Jessie Bates was the best thing to happen to the Falcons' secondary in 2023. 

But other than Bates, there's no solid depth at the position. Richie Grant has been too inconsistent. Backup rookie DeMarcco Hellams has even looked better than Grant at times. 

Adding another safety would not only provide some much-needed depth but also make Grant fight to keep his starting job in the offseason.  

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