FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Happy Thursday, Falcons fans!
We're right back in the thick of another practice week, and Atlanta is deep in its preparation for the Dallas Cowboys. While they are busy doing that, I went deep into the mailbag questions for the week, and boy were there a lot of them.
The vast majority are still about the pass rush, which Tori covered a bit of on Tuesday, and there's a good deal of overlap in those questions. So, in an attempt to not repeat the same answers, I selected a couple other topics to talk about.
But I still chose one pass-rush question to address since it is the topic at hand. Here we go.
William W. from Killen, Ala.
Why shouldn't the Falcons trade their 2025 first and/or second-round draft pick for a proven edge rusher? That's surely what they will target next year and given the front office's horrible ability to evaluate defensive players, why not get a proven player?
Will: Let's start from the end and work back. It's a pretty strong statement to say the front office is "horrible" at evaluating defensive players, so why don't we just go ahead and look at the results so far.
For starters, it's worth remembering that Atlanta has not used a first-round pick on a defender since Terry Fontenot has been general manager. Falcons fans are likely well aware of this fact, but it's worth repeating. As this piece from The Athletic a couple of years ago illustrates, an overwhelming amount of the league's successful pass rushers (and defenders, overall) were first-round picks. When selecting on Day 2 or Day 3, expectations should be managed.
The Falcons have selected 16 defenders since Fontenot became general manager in 2021. We will set aside this year's rookies, because it's impossible to fully evaluate a player before they've even completed a year in the league. Plus, I think it's clear head coach Raheem Morris is taking a bit of a longer-term approach with some of the young guys.
So, of the 11 other defenders — six of whom were Day 3 picks — eight have become either starters or key rotational players. One of the other three is Avery Williams, who switched sides of the ball but remains a great special teams player. Darren Hall and Ade Ogundeji are no longer on the team, but all of the others are making an impact for the Falcons. I'm sure you can point at specific instances where they could have made a different selection, but that's true for every team. Have they found cornerstone defenders for the next decade, maybe not. Have they been horrible, no.
Now, as for why they shouldn't trade a first- or second-round pick for a proven player, that's a route I do think the Falcons would consider if it made sense in the short term and the long term. But that's the key part. Rookie contracts are relatively cheap, which is why they are so highly valued. Another team is probably not trading an excellent defender on a rookie contract, because they'd want to keep him at his current cost. So, you're likely looking at a big veteran contract to put on the books, which I think is the biggest obstacle to overcome. Not to mention they did something very close to what you're asking for this offseason by bringing in a "proven edge rusher" in Matthew Judon.
The team is as aware as anyone of what they are facing with the pass rush, and they have more incentive than anyone to get that right. However, they are winning games right now and may view this as more of a process than those on the outside looking in.
David H. from Marshalltown, Iowa
Much to Coach Morris's chagrin, I'm kind of a stats guy. It's a great way to measure progress, or lack of. We are 3-0 on the road, which is remarkable. 4-0 in the division - which I can't recall the last time that happened. Kyle Pitts just had his first-multi TD game. Cousin's completion percentage is almost 70%. Are you seeing other stats that impress you?
Will: I'm a stats guy too, David. We can just be losers together, I guess. My understanding is that philosophy comes from the brotherhood of coaching, which has a very different view on a lot of the aspects of football we obsess over.
But there are a lot of great stats pointing out for this Atlanta team! Here are some of my favorites.
- The Falcons have had the fewest three-and-outs on offense in the league this year. They've had seven three-and-outs on 81 drives, a rate of 8.6%.
- They are also the only team in the league with two wide receivers who have at least 500 yards through eight weeks.
- Per Next Gen Stats, Bijan Robinson (13.28 MPH) and Tyler Allgeier (13.20 MPH) have recorded the fourth- and fifth-fastest averaged speeds on carries, respectively, this season.
- Also per Next Gen Stats, Drake London has caught a league-high 11 receptions on targets with a sub-50% completion probability this season.
Will S. from Summerville, Ga.
Should we be worried about Koo?
Will: It's a fair question to ask after the normally reliable kicker has missed four kicks in the Falcons' last four games. Having talked to Younghoe Koo several times over the years, I can assure you he is one of the coolest customers I've ever met. He is never too high and never too low, and that's exactly the type of even-keeled nature I'd want in a kicker. Matt Bryant was that way, too.
It's worth pointing out that all four of those misses were from beyond 40 yards, including two from at least 50 yards away. Those are obviously going to be a bit more difficult. It's also worth noting, though, that this year Koo set a new career-high with his 58-yard, game-winning kick against the Saints. His previous best was 54 yards, a distance he's connected from twice this year already.
Koo has also done a great job articulating different elements of his kicking process and he is a bonafide expert at breaking down the mechanics. That all leads me to believe he knows the corrections to make. Again, I get the question, but at this point I still have plenty of faith.
Thank you all for today's questions! If I didn't get to yours today, it may be selected in future editions of The Mailbox. The next one will be published Tuesday morning, when Tori will answer your questions.
If you'd like to submit a question for a future mailbag, *you may do so here*.
