Terry Fontenot, general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, went into the NFL Draft hoping to add another component at the back end, but he came away empty-handed. The top defensive players in the class were available to the Atlanta Falcons when the 2024 NFL Draft reached pick No. 8 overall. But Atlanta decided to settle any future quarterback issues by picking Washington signal caller Michael Penix Jr. rather than moving back and addressing question marks in the secondary or along the defensive line.The Falcons strengthened their pass rush with their next three selections—four of their final seven overall—but were unable to add competition to a cornerback room beset by uncertainty following the departure of starter A.J. Terrell. Furthermore, general manager Terry Fontenot asserts that the Falcons didn’t necessarily want to leave the draft empty-handed at the corner. Fontenot stated, “We would have liked to add that position.” Despite this, you don’t want to push, reach, or act inappropriately. We had guys, so we sought to retaliate in the first round, of course. Perhaps it was a corner. “And after that, you keep going through the draft; it all depends.” The original focus of the Falcons’ trade-up conversations was on pass rushers. Head coach Raheem Morris informed NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that the team was interested in UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, who was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick. However, the first cornerback was not taken until the Philadelphia Eagles selected Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo with the 22nd overall pick. The top two corners in the class were officially taken off the market when Terrion Arnold of Alabama was selected by the Detroit Lions two picks later. On Day 2, Atlanta had the opportunity to acquire more highly regarded defensive backs by moving up from No. 43 to No. 35 with the Arizona Cardinals. However, rather than selecting Iowa’s Cooper DeJean or Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry, the Falcons selected defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro from Clemson. Not too long afterward, the cornerback rush began.Starting with DeJean, four cornerbacks were selected in order from picks No. 40 through No. 43. Fontenot stated that he thinks the Falcons were able to bolster their defensive line by adding pass rushers, youth, and size. They would have switched to offensive line or cornerback if the board had dropped in a different order. However, Atlanta eventually found itself in a position to capitalise on the trenches, and Fontenot is not sorry about the steps taken to get there. It’s not something you want to push, Fontenot added. “You wish to avoid reaching within the draft. For the players you bring in, you want to have a clear vision. Although it didn’t work out at the corner, we’ll keep searching. Morris mentioned that the Falcons added Kevin King and Antonio Hamilton as cornerbacks this spring. He also mentioned Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Dee Alford, and Natrone Brooks as returners behind Terrell. Morris stated that Hughes was a welcome surprise on film and that the 5-10, 183-pound Phillips impressed both inside and outside during the league owners meetings in March. Alford is regarded by Morris as a nickel corner, although he can also play safety when necessary. Morris is therefore unfazed that there are no defensive backs in the Falcons’ eight-man draft class. Morris remarked, “We feel really good about a lot of those things.” Atlanta hasn’t finished strengthening its secondary, though, with plans to include more players. Although the Falcons still need to sign their draft class and only have $5.7 million in cap space, Over The Cap reports that there are routes to outside acquisitions. Additionally, Fontenot, a former Tulane defensive back of his own, intends to investigate every possibility leading up to the September kickoff. “We will undoubtedly keep examining it,” Fontenot stated. It’s available 365 days a year. Whether we’re discussing a potential trade or adding a new player, it happens directly before the season begins after the draft. We will continue to scan for opportunities.
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