Thanks to quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Atlanta Falcons 2024 draft class avoided the bottom of the barrel on a list of last year's NFL draft classes from CBS Sports.

Fortunately for Atlanta, Penix showed enough promise to overshadow the shortcomings of the team’s 2024 class. NFL.com released its 2024 draft grades for all 32 teams and the Falcons landed in the bottom third of the league with a “C” grade:

When the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, many around the league were highly critical of the pick. While Penix was projected to go somewhere in the first round, Atlanta wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a landing spot.

The Atlanta Falcons enter this offseason needing to improve their pass rush, which ranked second-to-last in the NFL with 31 sacks this past season. It's a similar problem the Falcons have faced in several off-season's over the past two decades -- but perhaps this time,