PFF lists favorite, least favorite moves by Falcons in free agency

After struggling to find a quarterback over the last two offseasons, the Atlanta Falcons didn’t waste any time going after the top free agent on the market. The team signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal on the opening day of free agency.

Aside from signing Cousins, the Falcons brought in wide receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Darnell Mooney. Plus, they traded quarterback Desmond Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore.

Time will tell how these new additions fare in Atlanta, but Pro Football Focus listed their favorite and least favorite moves by each of the 32 NFL teams. PFF’s Brad Spielberger listed Mooney as his favorite Falcons free-agent addition:

Mooney avoided a one-year flier after a down 2023 season and got paid a contract that reflects an understanding that his lack of production in recent years wasn’t entirely his fault, with the Bears ranking 32nd in passing yards over his rookie contract. Mooney still separated consistently on film, and now he immediately steps in as a No. 2 option at wide receiver opposite Drake London, winning in different ways than him and tight end Kyle Pitts. A reunion with former Bears general manager Ryan Pace, the man who drafted Mooney in 2020, was a perfect match for all parties.

So while the team was praised for adding Mooney, PFF wasn’t as high on Atlanta’s decision to sign Cousins. The 35-year-old makes the Falcons a better team but is coming off a serious Achilles tear that prematurely ended his 2023 campaign.

Spielberger expressed concern over Cousins’ age and injury status but conceded that he was a top-15 player at his position:

Cousins has undoubtedly proven he’s a top-10-to-15 quarterback in the NFL, and this is the going rate when a player of that caliber reaches unrestricted free agency. Nonetheless, it seems like some people are hand-waving the fact he’ll be 36 years old coming off a torn Achilles. That said, his dance moves looked good at the NFL Awards, so clearly his recovery is going well. — Brad Spielberger, PFF

The pressure is on Cousins to live up to his $100 million in guaranteed money and avoid a Russell Wilson-like disaster in Atlanta. The former Michigan State star has passed for 39.471 yards, 270 touchdowns and 110 interceptions over 12 NFL seasons.

Cousins has a proven track record of high-level play in the regular season and assuming he returns healthy, the Falcons are the clear favorites for the NFC South in 2024.

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