Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has focused on adding depth at wide receiver this offseason. But Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon is calling on Fontenot to now address the quality of depth at the position.
In an article picking one move that each NFL team should do before the end of this offseason, Kenyon argued the Falcons need to improve their wide receiver depth.
“This offseason, Atlanta signed Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller to complement Drake London (and Kyle Pitts),” Kenyon wrote. “But the Falcons should not be finished adding receivers, either. KhaDarel Hodge and Penny Hart are the main reserves right now, and they have 54 combined receptions in eight NFL seasons.
“Not exactly a deep position.”
Kenyon may be underselling the involvement the tight ends and running backs will have in the Atlanta offense this season. Pitts could very well lead the team in receptions as he did two years ago.
Fellow tight end Jonnu Smith is a candidate to lead the team in receiving touchdowns. Smith had 8 touchdown catches with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 with Arthur Smith as his offensive coordinator.
Running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Bijan Robinson could see plenty of targets as well. If the rookie grows into a star as many expect, then Patterson could even line up as a receiver more often in 2023.
Still, Kenyon’s decree that the Falcons could use better receiver depth is fair. London and Hollins are the only Falcons receivers who had more than 300 receiving yards last year.
There’s quite a few veteran receivers available in free agency if general manager Terry Fontenot wanted to dip back into the market. In fact, one interesting possibility is former Falcons All-Pro Julio Jones.
But with Jones turning 34 in February, Fontenot would probably be better off finding a younger veteran option. Former Pro Bowlers Kenny Golladay and Jarvis Landry each remain unsigned. So does speedster Sammy Watkins.
Fontenot did a solid job of bringing in fresh receiver talent this offseason. Finding a way to improve the foundation he already laid, though, could be a key to Desmond Ridder’s development.
