Atlanta Falcons

What you need to know (2023 Season):

• Record: 7-10 (3rd in NFC South)

• Points Per Game: 18.9 (26th)

• Fired Head Coach Arthur Smith

• Hired Raheem Morris As New Head Coach (Formerly Rams Defensive Coordinator)

• Hired Zac Robinson As Offensive Coordinator (Formerly Rams Passing Game Coordinator & QB Coach)

After a three-year stint going 7-10 each season, Arthur Smith is out as the Falcon’s head coach. Enter Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson. Morris was brought in to shock the life back into the defense. Whereas Robinson, the latest Ram’s assistant to get a gig from the Sean McVay coaching tree, will bring a fresh, new, and inventive offense with him. Atlanta has a roster ready to compete this season and Kirk Cousins is the key to just how far they can go.

• Key Additions: Kirk Cousins (Signed from Vikings)

• Draft Picks: Michael Penix Jr. (1st Round)

• Notable Losses: Desmond Ridder (Traded to Cardinals)

The Atlanta Falcons have been so close to running away with the division, but they’ve been a quarterback away. Well, new head coach Raheem Morris made a big splash by signing Kirk Cousins to a 4-year $180-million deal. Cousins did suffer a season-ending Achilles injury last year but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. However, a one-legged Kirk Cousins would still be an upgrade over what the Falcons have had over the previous few seasons.

Kirk Cousins’ career averages as a starter are noticeably better than the combination of throwers Atlanta has put out on the field recently. In his nine seasons as a starter, Cousins’ average fantasy finish is QB11. Before last year’s injury-shortened season, Cousins had three straight top-12 finishes. He’ll make a world of difference and all the pass-catchers are certainly due for a boost in production.

On opening night of the NFL draft, the Falcons had a major head-scratching selection picking Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to be the future starter. In the last four drafts they’ve taken a tight end (Kyle Pitts), a wide receiver (Drake London), a running back (Bijan Robinson), and now a quarterback all in the top 10 selections. This team is heavily invested in offense and is ready to make a push. Kirk Cousins gives them the best chance this season, but Penix Jr. is the eventual successor. Everyone wants to point to the 4-year deal, but we’ve seen teams cut a player loose way before it expires. In redraft, Penix Jr. shouldn’t be on your radar at all, but in dynasty leagues, he’s a steal at his current ADP. He could start a lot sooner than anticipated.

The Backfield

• Key Additions: None

• Draft Picks: Jase McClellan (6th Round)

• Notable Losses: Cordarrelle Patterson (Signed with Steelers)

Nothing drastically changed in the backfield. The only notable “loss” was Cordarrelle Patterson who signed in Pittsburgh to reunite with former head coach Arthur Smith (now Steelers offensive coordinator). Bijan Robinson should build upon his promising rookie season while Tyler Allgeier will serve as the side-kick again. A Batman and Robin if you will. Despite what seemed like an underwhelming rookie season, Bijan Robinson still finished as the RB9 in PPR leagues. He’s only going to get better and in an improved offense, Robinson could rival Christian McCaffrey as fantasy’s top running back. Tyler Allgeier is no push-over either. He was able to muster 876 total yards and five touchdowns behind Bijan Robinson last season on his way to an RB36 finish. Expect similar results in 2024, a firm RB3 with an upside.

The Pass-Catchers

• Key Additions: Darnell Mooney (Signed from Bears), Rondale Moore (Traded from Cardinals)

• Draft Picks: Casey Washington (6th Round)

• Notable Losses: Jonnu Smith (Signed with Dolphins)

The Falcons are ready to take off. They’ve got their quarterback and are ready to sling the rock. Drake London has been a threat on the field, but from a fantasy standpoint, he’s been middle of the pack finishing outside the top 30 in back-to-back seasons. A bump in the passing game should get him out of this rut. Kirk Cousins has supported six top-10 fantasy wide receivers since 2018 and Drake London very well could be the next. Kyle Pitts is expected to jump back into TE1 territory, which he’s failed to do since his rookie season. With Jonnu Smith taking away targets, bad play-calling, and off-target throws now in the rearview mirror, Pitts should be a lock to finish in the top 12 fantasy tight ends this season.

Not only did the quarterback position hit the upgrade button, but so did the receivers playing opposite Drake London. Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore will give the Falcons a legitimate WR2 and WR3 to utilize in the passing game. Sure, it’s not like the days of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage just a few years back, but it’s better than the rotation of guys they’ve touted out there in recent memory. Neither will be a weekly player in your lineup, but both offer flex appeal and chances are one of them will be a low-end WR3 with upside. My guess is Darnell Mooney - he was a fantasy contributor in Chicago, despite an unbearable quarterback situation.

2024 Fantasy Summary

After three straight 7-10 seasons with Arthur Smith, the Atlanta Falcons decided to go in a different direction with Raheem Morris. Kirk Cousins is going to be the main cog in this fantasy engine, but as long as the gears are turning, this offense is going to be littered with fantasy assets. Cousins is always an underrated fantasy quarterback, but he’s been a QB1 more often than not. Currently going off the board at QB16, Cousins has the upside to fly into the top 12 and beyond. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier should be one of the top running-back duos once again. Robinson has a shot to dethrone Christian McCaffrey as fantasy’s top running back while Allgeier is among the league’s top “handcuffs” with a solid yearly floor of RB3 production.

Drake London is due for his best season as a professional with top-12 upside, yet his current ADP is steep leaving very little room for error. As much as I like London this season, the smart play is letting someone else overdraft him at his current price. The other two receivers, Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore are two guys that should be kept in the queue towards the end of your drafts. Mooney has WR3 upside, or at the very least a weekly flex appeal. Kyle Pitts should finally get back to his rookie season form. After back-to-back disappointing seasons, Pitts should be a popular early-round selection at the tight end position again, and wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish in the top 3. However, it relies on the shoulders of Kirk Cousins, but so far he’s looking good early on.