Preseason Preview: Atlanta Falcons

 


Written by Stuart Graeber, Swish Tribune


The Falcons have an extremely unique look going into 2023 with a lot of youth on the offensive side and an extremely improved defense that will look to improve from last season. The Falcons finished the 2022 season with a record of 7-10, but showed promise with rookies showing flashes of potential. This year, it looks like the Falcons are pushing for the playoffs in an extremely tight division, and this team will be spearheaded by first round running back Bijan Robinson.

Bijan Robinson was taken by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the draft this past year. He was the consensus top running back in the draft and is one of the best prospects at the position in awhile. He combines size and agility in order to bulldoze defenders and slip between the tackles for big gains. He also showed to be an above average pass catcher for the position which is increasingly important for running backs in this NFL. Robinson had nearly 1900 yards (1580 on the ground) in his final year at Texas with 20 total touchdowns. He was an absolute monster, and he will fit into the Falcons scheme perfectly running behind one of the best run blocking lines in the NFL. In addition to Bijan, we will also be seeing year two Drake London and Desmond Ridder and year three Kyle Pitts. Desmond Ridder will be the day one starter and a lot of the Falcons ceiling will predicate on how good he can be. Kyle Pitts is another X factor for the Falcons as he was extremely disappointing last season coming off a 1,000 yard season in his rookie year. If he can play up to his potential and Drake London can continue to improve, the Falcons offense could be sneaky good this season. 

On the defensive end, the Falcons made it a priority to improve from 2022. They added Jessie Bates, Calais Campbell and David Onyemata which will certainly help improve this defense that allowed the sixth most yards per game in the 2022 regular season. Calais Campbell and David Onyemata should help the Falcons get more pressure to the QB, something the Falcons desperately need after having the second least sacks in the entire league. Jessie Bates should bolster up this secondary that already has an extremely impressive young defensive back in AJ Terrell. It will definitely be interesting to see how the Falcons defense improve this season.

I could see this season going a lot of different ways for the Falcons. On one hand, Desmond Ridder could be awful and their offense could be all Bijan Robinson until defenses start stacking the box. I could also see this offense be dynamic and explosive with playmakers across the field. I don't know if this offense can be at the top of the league like the Chiefs or Eagles, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were in the top 12. Looking at their schedule, it is extremely light and if everything goes their way, their absolute ceiling is 11-6 but I think a more reasonable outcome is 9-8. This would be a huge step forward for the Falcons and I think they have set themselves up well for a potential playoff push in a very open division.

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