NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Atlanta Falcons must make a choice for the second half of the season. Do they continue to reach or should they take a step back and prepare for the future? Meaning, they need a QB and at the rate they’re going, the 2024 NFL Draft is not the spot for them.
Heading into Week 10, the Atlanta Falcons are 4-5 and very much still alive in the NFC Playoff picture. With Desmond Ridder sitting on the sidelines and the keys being handed to Taylor Heinicke, the Falcons could run off a few more wins and find themselves out of the running for one of the premier college QBs.
That leaves them searching through the haystack of free agents or giving up assets. If that’s the case, the Atlanta Falcons will surely have to take a look at Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals, possibly Jimmy Groppolo of the Las Vegas Raiders, or maybe a veteran player.
The Falcons are loaded in the backfield with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The receiving core needs a slight upgrade but the youth is there. They just need someone to get them the ball. Heinicke has endured an up-and-down career so far but he’s not the long-term answer there. Ridder’s days are numbered. Getting a shot at Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Bo Nix is out of the question unless they can pull off a major Draft Day trade with someone but that will take much capital that the Falcons should not want to hand over.
Will The Atlanta Falcons Draft A QB
In a division where no team is the clear-cut favorite, the Atlanta Falcons may be better equipped to take the reigns of the NFC South and keep a hold of it for years to come if they make the right decision.
What it boils down to now is win now or wait. Adding a player like Murray is still a risk but his playmaking ability will bring back memories of Michael Vick in his heyday. But he’s owed a ton of money and is injury-prone. Are the Falcons willing to take on that type of contract and risk?
But anything has to be better than the product that’s been on the field. Heading into Week 10, the Falcons are ranked 21st in Passing Attempts, 17th in Passing Yards, and 24th In Passing TDs, coupled with one of the weakest schedules to date. Something has to give. They need a leader under center and their roster is currently void of one.
No matter what happens this season, the Falcons must fix their glaring issue at QB.
