Atlanta Falcons: Training Camp Battles to Watch

Breaking down the Atlanta Falcons training camp battles heading into 2024.

We are back for the last NFC South camp battles! This week we will take a look at the Atlanta Falcons as they prepare to start training camp for the 2024 season. The Falcons had eight picks in the 2024 NFL draft, starting with the eighth overall pick. After finishing last year at 7-10 and third in the NFC South, they’re looking to make a big move this year – and hopefully win their division!

Offense

The Falcons started off their offseason by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to four-year deal. They followed that by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington eighth overall. So of course the biggest offensive camp battle will be the QB room! From there, we will also talk about the wide receivers they acquired in the offseason and how they may make an impact on this team.

Quarterbacks

As stated above, the Falcons signed Cousins and drafted Penix this offseason. While at first this sounds like a problem, a deeper dive shows otherwise.

When you take a look at Cousins’ contract, you’ll see that the Falcons have an out after the 2025 NFL season. If Cousins leads the Falcons to back-to-back mediocre seasons, it would not be surprising if he gets cut prior to the 2026 season. If Cousins plays well and leads them to the playoffs at least once in the next two years, Penix will likely be the “next Jordan Love“. Penix will get his time and there’s a chance we see him late in the season if the Falcons have locked up the division. Regardless, this position group is worth watching as training camp comes around.

Wide Receivers

This offseason the Falcons made moves to deepen the wide receiver core. They signed veteran Darnell Mooney, and acquired Rondale Moore via trade. While neither are studs, both are good at what they do.

Mooney has been a solid WR2 for the Bears offense for the past four years. In 2021, he record 81 receptions on 140 targets for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Moore has been a really good short yardage receiver for the Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasons. He was traded to the Falcons in exchange for Desmond Ridder; Rondale averaged 400 yards per season and averages 8.9 yards per reception with a 74.2 percent catch rate.

While Mooney and Rondale will likely be WR2 and WR3 respectively, Drake London and Kyle Pitts will lead the Falcons pass catchers. These two have been held back by poor QB play in recent seasons. Both Pitts and London have had both a 100+ target and 850+ yard season under their belts.

In the past, the offense ran by the Rams (and one Falcons’ head coach Raheem Morris is likely to replicate) has supported multiple receivers and running backs in Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams. A similar offense was ran in Minnesota which saw great seasons from Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and even rookie Jordan Addison.

Because of this, it’s likely that Cousins, Bijan Robinson, London, and Pitts could all do well this season.

Defense

The Falcons spent five of their eight draft picks on defensive players, with four being on the defensive line. It’s also where the biggest training camp battles will take place for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons saw where they were weakest on defense last year and they took action. Rookies Ruke Orhorhoro, Bralen Trice, and Brandon Dorlus all show massive amount of promise. All three had productive college careers, while Orhorhoro showed off at the combine with his 9.90 RAS. They’re looking to secure that front line and give Cousins and that offense all the help they can.