The Atlanta Falcons were incredibly busy during free agency and the NFL Draft, and it should show on the field. NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal projects 10-new starters for the Falcons on offense and defense.
| OFFENSE | PLAYER | DEFENSE | PLAYER |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Desmond Ridder | DE | Calais Campbell* |
| RB | Bijan Robinson* | DT | Grady Jarrett |
| WR | Drake London | DT | David Onyemata* |
| WR | Mack Hollins* | Edge | Lorenzo Carter |
| TE | Kyle Pitts | MLB | Troy Andersen |
| TE | Jonnu Smith* | WLB | Kaden Elliss* |
| LT | Jake Matthews | CB | A.J. Terrell |
| LG | Matthew Bergeron* | CB | Mike Hughes* |
| C | Drew Dalman | CB | Jeff Okudah* |
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | S | Jessie Bates* |
| RT | Kaleb McGary | S | Richie Grant |
Rosenthal took some liberties with his starting lineup including a base-nickel package for the defense that put Okudah and Hughes on the field at the same time instead of a third linebacker like Mykal Walker.
With a four-man secondary, Rosenthal isn’t sure Okudah beats out Hughes for a starting spot.
Don’t assume Jeff Okudah will start. I have him penciled in, but there is a reason it only cost Atlanta a fifth-round pick to acquire the former first-round pick from Detroit. Veteran Mike Hughes has been better overall as a pro, and rookie Clark Phillips III could make sense as a nickel back.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
He also starts the Falcons in a two-tight end set. The Falcons will see plenty of 12 personnel next season on offense, but conspicuous by his absence is playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson. Rosenthal mentions Robinson and Allgeier at running back, but laments the depth at wide receiver without bringing up Patterson in either position.
Assuming Mack Hollins is this team’s WR2, the next best options at wideout are KhaDarel Hodge and … Scotty Miller? The roster-building for this season remains unfinished.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
Rosenthal is right to wonder about the depth at wide receiver for the Falcons, but a four-wide receiver set could include Pitts, Patterson, and London with Robinson in the slot and Allgeier at running back.
Those are five-dynamic weapons for the Falcons with serious run-after-the-catch possibilities.
He hasn’t quite given up his fixation with Ridder in a negative way. Baffled by the Falcons’ unwillingness to chase an unattainable target (Lamar Jackson), Rosenthal is still pining for a quarterback change in Atlanta.
Desmond Ridder doesn’t face true competition with Taylor Heinicke as his backup. But I still believe it’s possible coach Arthur Smith could bring in former pupil Ryan Tannehill in a trade with Tennessee, depending on how August goes for the Falcons and Titans.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
The Falcons trading for Ryan Tannehill might be as unpopular as the Hawks trading Dominique Wilkins. There seems to be zero interest in Atlanta for making a move like that.
The Falcons have poured a lot of their draft picks into the offensive side of the ball, so it’s not surprising to see the only new-rookie starters on offense. They put most of their free-agent money into the defensive side of the ball with veterans.
Much to the dismay of the national media, Desmond Ridder will be the starter again after a 2-2 finish to 2022. However there’s no doubt the Atlanta Falcons are going to look very different in 2023 no matter how they line up.
I think we’re going to need a stake and holy water to kill off the media’s obsession with Desmond Ridder.