The Falcons report to training camp this week, and it’s one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory. Here are four major storylines I’ll be watching:

Top 10 draft picks with high expectations

When a team invests three top 10 picks in skill position players, they expect to have Pro Bowl-caliber production. For the Falcons, only Kyle Pitts has reached that level. Granted, circumstances matter. Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Pitts’ last two years were marred by poor quarterback play and overall offensive dysfunction.

Coming into 2024, the expectation for that trio is sky-high. In Zac Robinson’s offense with Kirk Cousins under center, the hope is that Pitts, London, and Robinson will realize their full potential, which is that of Pro Bowl and All-Pro production.

An unproven secondary and pass rush

I have already dubbed the 2024 Atlanta Falcons as Matt Ryan‘s Falcons. All of those years where Ryan and Julio Jones would put up 30+ points but still end up losing? Yes, those Matt Ryan Falcons.

Granted, it’s a joke, but there’s always a little truth in every joke, and the reason I say that before even seeing the defense step on the field is the lack of proven commodities on that side of the ball. While Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell are among the best players at their respective positions, their running mates in the secondary are anything but.

At safety, the Falcons are relying on former second-round pick Richie Grant, who was supplanted by rookie seventh-rounder DeMarrco Hellams last year. Neither are inspiring options. The cornerback room is filled with just as many questions.

Two of Clark Phillips, Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, and Antonio Hamilton will start with Terrell. In an ideal world, Phillips and Alford take significant steps forward and secure those starting jobs. However, the likelihood that one or multiple go down with injuries is likely because that’s the nature of football. The lack of depth at the position is worrisome.

The Falcons pass rush also isn’t bursting with proven players. Arnold Ebiketie will have to shoulder much of the load on the edge, while Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata man the interior. Zach Harrison, Lorenzo Carter, DeAngelo Malone, Bralen Trice, Brandon Dorlus, and Ruke Orhorhoro will have every opportunity to be significant contributors, but that’s a whole lot of hope and prayers.

Raheem Morris, Zac Robinson, and Jimmy Lake

There are just as many questions about the coaching staff as well. Raheem Morris is approaching his second stint as a head coach, and his first in Tampa Bay didn’t go well. There won’t be any grace period in Atlanta either. The Falcons are expected to win the NFC South and end a six-year playoff drought, resulting in the very first postseason contest in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Morris’ assistants are also unproven. Jimmy Lake will be tasked with taking over for Ryan Nielsen, who got all he could out of Atlanta’s defense last year. Lake will have to help along a ton of young, unproven players on defense — as I talked about above. The Falcons offense is expected to be one of the better units in football; the defense has to hold up its end of the bargain, though.

That expectation for the Falcons offense is tied to, in part, Zac Robinson, who was the hottest offensive coordinator candidate this offseason. He will be tasked with onboarding Kirk Cousins, helping maximize the team’s three top 10 picks, and improving the overall consistency of a unit that is talented but has underachieved in recent seasons.

Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, and Taylor Heinicke

No storyline in Flowery Branch will be as captivating as the quarterback drama, and it’s not just limited to Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix, who will undoubtedly grab most of the headlines.

The $180 million signing and No. 8 overall draft pick will say all of the right things to the media. Cousins is a proven veteran, and Penix is a polished prospect in that aspect. The Falcons, however, will still be the focus of speculation, especially if Cousins struggles and Penix looks the part of an NFL starter.

The expectation is that Cousins will lead this football team, and Penix will be his apprentice, but what about Taylor Heinicke?  Depending on how quickly Penix is acclimated to the Falcons offense, Heinicke could find himself slotted in as the backup or on the trade block. All three quarterbacks will be closely monitored during training camp.