Falcons' Struggles Continue as Top Draft Picks Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London Fail to Deliver
The Atlanta Falcons have invested heavily in their offense through the draft over the past few seasons, using top-eight picks on players like Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London. However, the returns on those investments have yet to materialize in a meaningful way. With each passing week, the team is left grappling with the lack of production from these once highly-touted prospects.
Kyle Pitts, drafted fourth overall in 2021, had a remarkable rookie season with over 1,000 receiving yards and earned a Pro Bowl nod. Yet, his production has dramatically declined since then. Injuries, particularly a knee injury in 2022, have slowed Pitts down, and it's unclear if he will ever regain the form that made him a dominant threat. So far this season, Pitts has managed only eight catches for 105 yards and a single touchdown. He was expected to be a game-changer for the Falcons, but inconsistency and struggles in finding chemistry with new quarterback Kirk Cousins have hindered his performance. Despite this, the Falcons picked up his fifth-year option, committing $10.878 million to him for the 2025 season.
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Then there's Bijan Robinson, the eighth pick in the 2023 draft. Robinson was brought in to electrify the Falcons’ rushing attack, and while he has shown flashes of brilliance, his numbers in 2024 have been underwhelming. His carries and receptions per game have seen only a slight uptick from last season, but the explosive plays fans expected have not come. In fact, his fifth-round teammate Tyler Allgeier has outperformed him, raising questions about whether Robinson can live up to his draft position.
Drake London, the team's 2022 first-round pick, also continues to struggle. The wide receiver, drafted eighth overall, has yet to record a 1,000-yard season. In 2024, he's on pace for only 850 yards, which pales in comparison to expectations. Meanwhile, Darnell Mooney, a 2024 free-agent signing, has become the Falcons' leading receiver, outgaining London through four games.
Despite the clear talent on the roster, the Falcons are finding it hard to convert that into success on the field. Their record stands at 2-2, and they face the possibility of dropping below .500 with a tough matchup against the Buccaneers next. Many are starting to question the team's draft strategy, as they've focused on skill-position players without addressing the need to build a stronger foundation on the offensive and defensive lines. If things don't turn around soon, the pressure will mount on the coaching staff and front office to make changes.
In the end, it’s clear the Falcons' bold draft strategy hasn’t paid off as hoped. Whether it’s due to injuries, underperformance, or a lack of chemistry, players like Pitts, Robinson, and London simply aren’t living up to their billing. As the 2024 season progresses, the clock is ticking for these young stars to finally make their mark.
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