The Falcons two most glaring needs heading into the offseason were quarterback and wide receiver. Terry Fontenot addressed both of those aggressively once the bell rung to begin free agency. Kirk Cousins massively upgrades the situation under center, and the Falcons have already added three different wide receivers, completely overhauling the position.
Darnell Money is the most significant addition, as he signed a three-year, $39 million contract. The Falcons are hoping, with better quarterback play, the former Bears receiver can look a lot more like the guy who caught for over 1,000 yards on 81 receptions a few years ago.
Terry Fontenot also acquired some speed at the position in a trade with the Cardinals for Rondale Moore. Similarly to Mooney, Moore has suffered from inconsistent quarterback play with Kyler Murray injured. He hasn’t quite lived up to his second-round pick status, but he’s still just 23-years-old and can be a versatile weapon in Zac Robinson’s offense as both a receiver and a ball carrier.
Ray-Ray McCloud was the Falcons third wide receiver addition of the offseason. His most significant impact will be felt on special teams, but he adds more depth to the receiver room, which is something the Falcons desperately needed coming into the offseason.
The position is in an infinitely better spot today than it was just a week ago. It’s not a longer a must-have in the draft, and the additions have even caused some to speculate whether it means they are out on wide receiver prospects in the first round.
The Falcons now have Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore at WR.
Safe to say you can scratch them off the list for taking a WR at No. 8. Good news for the #Bears.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 14, 2024
I couldn’t disagree more, and it’s more than just disagreement. Anybody who believes the Falcons will refuse to take a wide receiver in the first round hasn’t been paying attention very much since Terry Fontenot took over as general manager.
Fontenot goes about free agency the right way. He addresses the team’s biggest needs the best he can, allowing him to approach the draft more freely. He doesn’t want to be backed into a corner feeling like he has to draft a certain position, which allows him to follow his best player available approach.
If you don’t think Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze might be the best player available when the Falcons are on the clock, we aren’t watching the same sport.
These are potential star wide receivers. If the Falcons have them at the top of their draft board, they aren’t going to pass on a talent like Nabers because they acquired (*checks notes* ) Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. Receiver is still very much a need, especially in Zac Robinson’s offense, which will utilize a ton of three receiver sets. It’s a lesser need today than it was earlier in the week, but nothing as far as the draft is concerned has changed because of the additions of Mooney and Moore.
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Photographer: John Korduner/Icon Sportswire
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