1. Failing to add pass rushing help
The Atlanta Falcons lost Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell this offseason. Their only addition is third-round rookie Bralen Trice. This was for a pass rush that was one of the worst in the league. It has consistently been a weak spot for the Falcons and continues to get ignored.
Whether or not the team attempted moves at the position is beside the point. Being unable to land the plane on adding one impact pass rusher while spending a first-round pick on a backup quarterback is a failure.
If that is the way you're going to spend the pick you need a trade or free agent addition. Running it back with Arnold Ebiketie and Lorenzo Carter speaks to poor planning. No matter what the results are from the duo moving forward history demands you make a move.
Sitting back and losing two of your best pass rushers and failing to bring in anyone is beyond confusing. It is the same way the team approached the receiver position before this offseason. Ignoring the position simply bringing in unproven players or veterans who weren't impact players. This is now Atlanta's approach to arguably the most important defensive position in today's league.
2. Drafting Michael Penix Jr. and signing Kirk Cousins
Either move by itself makes sense for the team and gives you hope moving forward. Cousins is a proven veteran who is a huge upgrade over anything Atlanta has had in recent memory. With Cousins, you are a playoff team in the weak NFC South.
Cousins elevates Atlanta's young weapons and gives you reason to believe in this team. On the flip side if you draft Penix you have a chance to spend all of your cap space on loading up your roster. Following the path the 49ers have taken with Brock Purdy.
Spending the cap space you're spending on Cousins to load up and give Penix his best chance to develop. This strategy makes sense as does signing Cousins. What doesn't is adding both quarterbacks on four-year deals and simply hoping Penix develops while you waste at least two years of his rookie contract.
If Cousins ages well it is possible the team spent the 8th overall pick on a player not taking the field for three or four years. It is a poorly planned move that isn't going to age well no matter how Penix plays. Leading us to the next problem with Atlanta's offseason.
3. Not warning Kirk Cousins you were drafting Penix
Arguably this was the weirdest part of the entire move. Kirk Cousins is your new leader and who you want to set the tone for a young offense. Bringing in Cousins is about raising the standard and putting a new leader into place. Trading Desmond Ridder's elite leadership was further evidence of this making sure it was clear whose team this was moving forward.
You follow this up by drafting Penix only telling Cousins moments before the pick. This shows an inability to learn from past mistakes. Matt Ryan's tenure ended with the Falcons failing to communicate their interest in Deshaun Watson.
After a terrible 2021 season Ryan was left believing he was coming back the following season. Atlanta pushing him out is a lesson they have spent the last two years learning. Now the first capable quarterback you had post-Matt Ryan and you repeat the mistake.
It isn't difficult to pick up the phone and prepare the guy you just handed $180-million to have a rookie sit behind him. This only makes the pick worse from the outside. Atlanta's lack of ability to communicate with its franchise leader is a concern moving forward.