Atlanta Falcons: Offensive players that make the cut

The time is soon upon us where all teams will be showing up for training camps across the country in hopes to gain a position on their respected team. No different for players on the Atlanta Falcons. You probably can pencil in the starters and some players that will be backups, but there are many open spots just waiting to be filled. In this piece, I will analyze the Atlanta Falcons offensive players who I believe will make the 2022 roster.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

As of earlier this year this was one of the uncertain positions on the team. Matt Ryan left for the Indianapolis Colts once the Falcons made a push for DeShaun Watson. When the Watson fiasco failed, it left the team with no starting quarterback until the Falcons signed Marcus Mariota to a 2-year deal. Mariota played for Head Coach Arthur Smith just a few years back in Tennessee. But Mariota couldn’t be the answer for Ryan, could it? Not a chance. Smith likes tall, mobile quarterbacks with an arm, so in came 3rd round draft pick this year from University of Cincinnati Desmond Ridder. Mariota is not the long term answer after Ryan, and Ridder could be, but the book is still open. Ridder wins the starting job in training camp.

Third round draft pick Desmond Ridder throwing a pass at Falcons' practice — Third round draft pick Desmond Ridder throwing a pass at Falcons’ practice

QB: Desmond Ridder, Marcus Mariota, Feleipe Franks (practice quad)

Running backs

Atlanta native Mike Davis was a one hit and left everyone wondering why the Falcons signed him last year. It felt like a good signing at that moment. But with a lack luster offensive line, holes just were not made. So Davis is now with the Baltimore Ravens. Last year’s running back/receiver that turned heads was Cordarrelle Patterson who ended last season as the offensive player of the year for the Falcons. Playing on a one-year deal, Patterson had something to prove. And prove he did collecting 1,202 total yards (618 rush, 548 receiving) and 11 total touchdowns (6 rush, 5 receiving). That was Patterson’s breakout season that propelled the Falcons to sign him back for two more years. Falcons also drafted Tyler Allgeier from BYU in this year’s draft. Allgeier is built like former Falcons RB Michael Turner. The running game this year needs to be a big plus for the Falcons.

RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson catch and run in a 2021 game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB: Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier, Damien Williams, Keith Smith (fullback)

Wide Receiver

Gone are Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage. Last year the Falcons didn’t have much of a passing attack except from TE Kyle Pitts and Patterson. This year General Manager Terry Fontenot has brought in from the Cincinnati Bengals on a one year deal free agent Auden Tate, and the team drafted at the eight pick overall in this year’s draft from the University of Southern California Drake London. You don’t draft someone that high to sit and have him groom one year. London will be a game one starter. But who lines up on the other side on him is still to be seen. Maybe it will be hybrid player Patterson or free agent signee from Las Vegas Raiders Bryan Edwards. My sleeper for the year is seventh round pick from 2021 to get significant playing time is Frank Darby.

Rookie WR Drake London catching passes at OTAs

WR: London, Tate, Darby, Edwards, Olamide Zaccheaus,

Offensive Line

Since Offensive Line Coach Alex Gibbs left the Falcons in 2006 when Mike Smith was head coach, the offensive line has always been a question mark, just not seeming to be able to get the job done, except for the 2016 run to the Super Bowl. A lot of that was on the hands on former GM Thomas Dimitroff. Current GM Fontenot is trying to right the ship. Last year the team drafted Jalen Mayfield out of Michigan and Drew Dalman out of Stanford. Both didn’t impress even with extended playing time. Get a little bit of a pass from me because they were rookies. Need to improve this year. Team did draft University of Georgia Guard Justin Shaffer in the fifth round of this year’s draft, hoping for big things from him. Free agent and former Seattle Seahawk and Chicago Bears Germain Ifedi signed with the team in hopes to help build a dominant line. The only penciled in starters for me is Left Tackle Jake Matthews and Right Guard Chris Lindstrom.

Atlanta Falcons LT Jake Matthews at a Buffalo Bills game in 2021

OL: Dalman, Shaffer, Mayfield, Matt, Hennessy, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Elijah Wilkinson, Tyler Vrabel, Leroy Watson, Jake Matthews

Tight End

This is the most solid position among the offense because you know Kyle Pitts is your starter who will be the receiving tight end. But Coach Smith likes to run two tight end sets. So who might battle for the second spot. The team drafted in the sixth round of this year’s draft from Georgia John FitzPatrick who can be a receiver and blocking tight end like Pitts. If the Falcons keep two tight ends, look for it to be Pitts and FitzPatrick. If they want to keep three, look for the second year man from Iowa Parker Hesse to make team, and FitzPatrick will go on the practice squad.