Former Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan announced his retirement from the NFL after 15 seasons. Ryan’s career saw him rise from a promising rookie to an MVP, but he ultimately struggled to overcome the dominance of his peers and win a Super Bowl. Despite his failure to reach the pinnacle, Ryan leaves the NFL with an impressive resume that includes an MVP award and numerous Pro Bowl appearances.
During the Falcons’ pre-draft press conference, General Manager Terry Fontenot praised quarterback Kirk Cousins’ positive influence on the team within the first few weeks of the offseason program. Fontenot described Cousins as a ‘multiplier’ both on and off the field, citing his exceptional work ethic and dedication to the game.
The NFL has concluded its investigation into potential tampering by the Atlanta Falcons in their pursuit of quarterback Kirk Cousins and has found no evidence of wrongdoing. As a result, the Falcons will not face any penalties, including the loss of draft picks. General Manager Terry Fontenot expressed the team’s commitment to fully cooperating with the league’s investigation and emphasized that the Falcons will continue to focus on their preparations for the upcoming NFL Draft.
With the NFL Draft approaching, analysts are releasing their projections for the Atlanta Falcons. One popular mock draft from PFF highlights the team’s focus on defense, with their top four picks all targeting defensive players. The Falcons are in need of a pass rusher and cornerback, and this mock addresses both of those positions in the first round. Laiatu Latu, a defensive end from Alabama, is projected as a potential pick at No. 8 overall, followed by cornerback M.J. Devonshire from California in the second round. Overall, the mock draft adds six defenders and three offensive players, indicating the Falcons’ emphasis on strengthening their defense.
The Atlanta Falcons have multiple options to improve their pass rush, including bolstering the secondary or strengthening the interior defensive line. While Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu are considered potential draft picks, recent reports suggest Byron Murphy could be a surprise choice for the team.
The NFL’s ongoing investigation into alleged tampering by the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles will not conclude this week, indicating that any potential draft pick penalties will not be imposed during the upcoming draft. The Falcons are accused of unauthorized contact with quarterback Marcus Mariota before the permissible window under league rules. Meanwhile, the Eagles are under scrutiny for tampering regarding the signing of linebacker Haason Reddick. The investigation is expected to result in punishments for both teams, with the Falcons facing potentially more severe penalties. The Eagles and Falcons each possess eight draft picks in the 2024 draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles have received confirmation that the NFL’s investigation into potential tampering during their acquisition of Saquon Barkley will not conclude before the upcoming NFL Draft begins on Monday. This means the Eagles will retain all seven of their draft picks. The Giants, however, may still benefit from a ruling in 2025. Additionally, the investigation into Kirk Cousins’ potential tampering case with the Atlanta Falcons will also not be completed before the draft.
In their final 2024 NFL mock draft, A to Z Sports predicts the Atlanta Falcons will address a glaring need by selecting Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner with the No. 8 overall pick. Turner’s athleticism, explosiveness, and impressive sack record make him an ideal fit for the Falcons, who have lacked a consistent pass rush in recent years.
Atlanta Falcons legend Matt Ryan has announced his retirement after 16 seasons in the NFL. Ryan, 38, formally announced his retirement on Monday after signing a one-day contract with the Falcons, the team he spent all but one season of his career with. Ryan was drafted third overall by the Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft and bagged MVP honors in 2016. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 but only played for one season there. Despite being on the Colts’ payroll in 2023, Ryan worked as an analyst for CBS Sports. He retires with a 124-109-1 record, having started 234 career games, with 222 of them being in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Falcons may be targeting a wide receiver with their 8th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice has the Falcons selecting LSU wideout Brian Thomas, despite the team’s need for a pass rusher. Thomas has the potential to excel on the outside, complementing Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. While a receiver may not seem like the most pressing need, the Falcons could prioritize adding another offensive weapon to their already-impressive lineup.
