B+
Atlanta Falcons
The steal of the weekend belongs to the Falcons and Smith-Wade: B+.
by Travese ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 2 steals
· 0 reaches
The Falcons ran the phones like sharks, prying loose value on deal after deal until the ledger was lopsided. No fireworks, but a solid B+.
Smith-Wade falling to them is the kind of break a good board is built to catch. They will regret leaving offensive lineman for another day if the season turns on it. The Falcons paired the rookies with proven help, Justin Fields leading the way.
Solid rather than spectacular, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 13 they get a problem off the edge at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
Nothing to complain about; Malachi Corley went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Roman Wilson at the Round 4 slot is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Fair-plus on Nehemiah Pritchett, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
No drama and no debate, Keith Randolph Jr. went about where he belonged in the 188th pick. A need, and now a little less of one.
They did well to land Darius Robinson in No. 204, just ahead of his grade. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Darius Muasau at pick No. 231 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. The roster fit checks out.
Chau Smith-Wade at Round 7, Pick 27 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.