Fortunately for Atlanta, Penix showed enough promise to overshadow the shortcomings of the team’s 2024 class. NFL.com released its 2024 draft grades for all 32 teams and the Falcons landed in the bottom third of the league with a “C” grade:

The Atlanta Falcons enter this offseason needing to improve their pass rush, which ranked second-to-last in the NFL with 31 sacks this past season. It's a similar problem the Falcons have faced in several off-season's over the past two decades -- but perhaps this time,

If Georgia stunk as a college football program, I would have not problem with my hometown Falcons shunning their players in the draft. However, Georgia has been one of the most consistently strong programs in college football for over a decade now.

The NFL offseason is all fun and games when there's salary cap space available. However, tough decisions need to be made when money gets tight. Teams routinely cut star players while they're still productive due to financial reasons.

Pro Football Focus' Jordan Plocher predicted the Atlanta Falcons to draft a playmaking edge rusher at No. 15 overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.