The Atlanta Falcons had a big need at cornerback heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, but they chose not to select a player at the position. Fans cannot believe general manager Terry Fontenot’s explanation for that decision.
Fontenot was asked on Saturday why the Falcons did not draft a cornerback when they desperately need a starter to pair with former first-round pick A.J. Terrell. The GM said he and Atlanta’s other decision-makers did not want to “force a reach or do something you shouldn’t.”
Fontenot on not drafting a cornerback: "We would have liked to add that position, but you do’t want to force a reach or do something you shouldn’t." #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) April 27, 2024
Oh boy.
The Falcons became the biggest story of the draft when they shockingly took Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. They did so after signing Kirk Cousins to a 4-year, $180 million contract in free agency. You could argue that was the definition of “a reach,” as Atlanta does not need a quarterback and could have drafted help for their highly paid 35-year-old QB instead.
As expected, Fontenot was trolled over the explanation for not drafting a cornerback.
Like spending the 8th overall pick on a QB that wont see the field till hes 28?
— Shane Falco (@C4_A_1) April 28, 2024
So you reached on a position you didn’t need lmaoooo
— LeBen (@FeelLikeSimmons) April 28, 2024
He might be all-time bad at this
— Brenden Schaeffer (@bschaeffer12) April 28, 2024
Fontenot said it will be a “great problem to have” for the Falcons if Cousins is still playing well three years down the road and Penix is on the bench. Another potential issue for Atlanta is that Penix played six years in college and will turn 24 next month. If he sits for several years behind Cousins, he will be pushing 30.
One NFL reporter has a legendary quote that summed up the Falcons’ decision to draft Penix after shelling out huge money for Cousins.
