The Atlanta Falcons have their new QB1 in Kirk Cousins, and now that the Falcons don’t have to draft a quarterback the discussion is should they get Cousins another weapon to throw to, or should Atlanta draft a much needed edge rusher? Earlier today The Morning Shift debated the very topic.
Even though the Falcons have signed wide receiver Darnell Mooney and have also recently re-signed receiver KhaDarel Hodge Atlanta’s receiver room is still pretty bare and even if it’s not the eighth overall pick the Falcons will at some point in the 2024 NFL Draft select a wide receiver.
However, if they so choose the Falcons could draft a receiver with the eighth pick for the second time in three years, and probably have their choice between Washington receiver Rome Odunze and LSU receiver Malik Nabers, but Mike Johnson believes edge rusher is the way to go with the eighth overall pick this time around.
“I think it’s gotta be edge at eight as we sit, but I'm still not ruling them out. I know that the Falcons were in on Danielle Hunter. I know that there’s been you know conversations about other guys around the league. I think they will still add a pass rusher through free agency or trade.”
Mike’s reasoning for wanting Atlanta to draft a pass rusher at eight is simply because he believes there’s more receiver depth in this draft than there is depth at edge.
“It’s easier to find depth in the wide receiver position in this draft then it is edge. There’s usually only like one or two edge guys that come out in the draft that actually hit on and that’s why I would hate to see a receiver taken at eight, I would rather have the edge, but if you’re not in love with the Dallas Turner’s or whoever else may be there then I could see a wide receiver.
As free agency continues the Falcons may give more of an idea about what they might do with the eighth overall pick with the moves they make in free agency, but right now it seems like it could go either way.
