It was a bizarre year from start to finish for the Atlanta Falcons. After signing Kirk Cousins to a large-scale contract, they then drafted Michael Penix Jr. as their quarterback of the future. But when the year went terribly for Cousins, the Falcons had to make a switch to Penix midway through the year.
In his first few outings, the rookie had a good start to his career. But, veteran NFL analyst and draft specialist Warren Sharp believes Atlanta could add a few more weapons around him.
Atlanta Falcons Add Another Receiver for Michael Penix Jr.
A plethora of options might be available at the wide receiver position, but Atlanta was a run-heavy team this season, leaning on Bijan Robinson to support their attack. However, Sharp believes their sum has always been lesser than the whole.
As a result, another wide receiver might be their best route with the 15th overall pick. While he believes a couple of rookies could theoretically come to the Falcons, one name makes the most sense for their current roster.
“Adding another weapon who can stretch the field would help Michael Penix‘s development. Atlanta might prefer Luther Burden III to Tetairoa McMillan, as McMillan’s skill set could be considered too much of an overlap with Drake London. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka is an option as well.”
🚨 Mock Draft 1.0 🚨
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— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 11, 2025
However, the latest 2025 mock draft from PFSN has the Missouri receiver dropping heavily, going 29th to a Washington Commanders team that just made the NFC Championship. Analyst Brentley Weissman specifically had high praise for what the wide receiver could do with the ball in his hands.
Instead, the Falcons go a different route and select James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee as an edge rusher to help round out the defense. Weissman explained the decision as a simple case of supply meeting demand.
“Pearce has wreaked havoc rushing the quarterback in the SEC and just knows how to win and get to the quarterback. The Falcons are in desperate need of more pass rush — Pearce should be able to provide just that.”
The Falcons were the fourth-worst defense in the league by PFSN’s Defense+ metric, compared to the 10th-ranked offense in the Offense+ metric.
Adding a true game-changer like Pearce might help them in that regard with the Volunteers star racking up 17 sacks over the last two seasons, as the young Penix figures out the offense better with his current weapons.