Studѕ аnd Dudѕ from tһe Fаlconѕ' 2024 ѕeаѕon

Running back Bijan Robinson was the heart of Atlanta’s offense this season. It didn’t matter if he was carrying the football, catching the football or protecting the quarterback, Robinson got the job done each week. The second-year running back ended the season with 1,456 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, adding 431 yards receiving and another score as a pass-catcher. Robinson’s 14 rushing touchdowns are the most by a Falcons running back since Michael Turner finished with 18 in 2008.

Signing Kirk Cousins was a mistake, and a very costly one. Cousins inked a four-year deal worth a total of $180 million, and a good portion of that will fall on Atlanta’s dead cap total next season. The Falcons leadership waited too long, likely due to financial commitments, to make the switch to Michael Penix. In the end, this was one of the determining factors that derailed Atlanta’s playoff hopes. Cousins had arguably the worst four-game stretch of his career during the team’s four-game losing streak. Don’t expect him to return in 2025.

Kyle Pitts’ rookie season in 2021 was the last time a Falcons pass-catcher recorded over 1,000 yards in a season. Drake London’s 1,271 yards is the highest total since Calvin Ridley recorded over 1,300 in 2020. The Falcons have something special in London, as highlighted in the season finale against Carolina when he finally got a quarterback to throw him a jump ball in the end zone. The partnership between London and Penix will be critical to long-term success in Atlanta.

There’s not much to say about Kyle Pitts, and that’s telling considering how highly valued he was out of college. Drafting Pitts was a risky move but seemed to be the right choice in year one. However, it looks as if the wheels have fallen off in Atlanta and maybe a change of scenery could help. Throughout the final nine games, he only totaled over 50 yards receiving once. Plus, there were multiple games where Pitts finished without a catch. Disregarding the 2022 season, Pitts has regressed year over year in receiving yards. Considering he doesn’t contribute much as a blocker, the value just isn’t there going forward for Pitts.

Penix may have only played the final few games, but his performance left fans wondering what took them so long to make the switch from Kirk Cousins. The rookie has a rocket arm and mobility that Cousins just doesn’t have in his arsenal. The Falcons are set at quarterback for the future, and have a good foundation to build upon on offense. Penix finished his rookie season with 775 passing yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions and one rushing touchdown.

2024 was one of, if not the worst, season Matthew Judon has had in the NFL. There was some hope that he would play himself into a contract extension in Atlanta, but considering his lackluster performances, I don’t think he has a future here. Judon declined to comment on his contract status once the season was over. The 32-year-old finished the year with 5.5 sacks but lacked consistency from week to week.

There is a lot to like about Kaden Elliss. The veteran linebacker gradually became one of the most productive players on this Falcons team. Eventually, the defense came unglued but it wasn’t on Elliss. He is the first player in NFL history to record 100-plus tackles, five or more sacks and an interception. 2025 is the final year of his contract, but Elliss could be an extension candidate next season.

It is tough to label Raheem Morris a “dud” for the entire 2024 season. It was his first full year as the Falcons head coach and the team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017. However, it’s hard to gloss over the poor clock management and decision to stick with Kirk Cousins as the quarterback. Making the change from Cousins to Penix earlier may have changed the outcome of a game or two and we could be talking about our next opponent right now. The Falcons could have potentially saved their season had they used a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Commanders. Morris seems to be liked by his players, though. Hopefully, he will learn from his mistakes going forward.

Mike Hughes hasn’t yet found his foundation in the NFL with the Falcons being his fourth team since 2018, but he quietly had the best season of his career in 2024. Atlanta needed someone to play near the same level as A.J. Terrell, and Hughes did well enough to paper the cracks of not having another high-level cornerback. The Falcons should look to retain Hughes in 2025.