New Offensive Flow

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons are going to look different this year, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Matt Ryan, who has been the Quarterback since 2008, was traded this off-season. A lot of drama went into that decision, but at the end of the day Ryan and the Falcons went their separate ways. Now the team will have a new QB at the helm, along with a revamped running back and wide receiver room. I take a look at every offensive position group while breaking down the potential of each group.

Quarterbacks

As mentioned, Matt Ryan is no longer a Falcon and has started fresh with the Colts. So, the Falcons this off-season have brought in Marcus Mariota, former Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback. The former number two overall pick hasn't had the career that may have been expected for a guy taken that high, but he is still around and looking for a 2nd chance in Arthur Smith's system.

Then, there is the 3rd round draft pick Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati, a guy who is in a very interesting position. He comes out of college with a 44-7 record and lead the first group of five program to the playoffs. Some draft experts considered Ridder the most pro-ready QB in his class. With him being a day two pick, people feel like he is a low-risk high reward kind of player. Falcons' fans will want to see him on the field to answer the question, “Is he the QB of the future?” If Ridder isn't the QB the fans were expecting, then they're going to want the Falcons to take a chance at tanking for Bryce Young.

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Desmond Ridder (4) and Marcus Mariota (1) work during their NFL minicamp football practice Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

(John Bazemore / Associated Press)

So far coming from the off-season workouts, Mariota is ahead right now and which shouldn't be surprising. He knows the system, so he already has the mental advantage on Ridder. His biggest challenge will be executing the offense the way Smith wants. Pro Football Focus mentioned they believe Ridder could definitely push to be the day 1 starter stating, "Ridder was a program-changer at Cincinnati, and his maturity and football IQ could push him ahead of Mariota in a fair competition." Whoever is starting at Quarterback for the Falcons, the big wrinkle that will be added to the offense is going to be designed QB runs. Both guys can beat teams with their legs, and behind an offensive line that has questions, it may be the best way to help the line.

Running Backs

The front office has changed the backfield up a little bit this off-season. They released Mike Davis who they signed last year. They signed Damien Williams, who won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, and drafted Tyler Allgeier from BYU. They also moved former Cornerback Avery Williams to running back. Then there is breakout player Cordarrelle Patterson, and the returning Caleb Huntley and Qadree Ollison.

Patterson may be listed as RB1 on the depth chart, but the Falcons will use him in many different ways depending on game plan and game flow. He may have a bigger workload running the football in one game and may be used as a pass catcher in another. The fact is either way, they are going to want to get the ball in his hands. But what if he is designed in a certain game to be a pass catcher? Who's going to step up?

Many people are curious to see what the rookie Allgeier is going to do in camp. Like NFL analyst Steve Wyche said about the rookie and the Falcons expectations for him, “This is a player in his final two years out of BYU who had 2,700 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. He can catch the ball. He can invade tackles and he’s got the big-play possibility.” He will be looked at to be the primary running back coming into his first year.

(Steve Wyche @wyche89 (Twitter) The Falcons have high expectations from this rookie class. Here’s an offensive skill player who could stir things up from Day 1. From NFL Now @nflnetwork)

Damien Williams will also be interesting because I view him as more of a change of pace back, as he has been primarily used as a pass catcher in most of his career and is an underrated ball carrier. He'll be fighting for that 3rd running back spot with the other guys, so that will be a position battle to keep an eye on.

Wide Receivers

This is a group that has undergone the most change. Last year Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage were your starting wideouts. As of today, it looks to be 1st round draft pick Drake London and Bryan Edwards who the Falcons traded for from the Las Vegas Raiders. They also added Auden Tate who I think is very underrated but is coming off a calf injury that ended his season last year. There’s also still the returning Olamide Zaccheaus who has some deep-threat ability and added Damiere Byrd and Khadarel Hodge. Frank Darby also returns from last year's draft class. Someone that could make noise is former packer receiver Geronimo Allison, who is looking to get back on track after two disappointing years in Detroit.

London from USC, who some draft experts considered one of the top receivers in this year's draft. Tony Pauline from Pro Football Focus stated in his evaluation of London, “London was a terrific receiver for USC the past three seasons and is a natural pass catcher who projects well to the next level. He’s more advanced than most big-bodied college wideouts who rely on size and strength to win out for contested throws. Extends to snatch the ball out of the air and possesses soft, natural pass-catching hands. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and high-points the ball over defenders. Plays with balance as well as body control, possesses outstanding eye/hand coordination, and makes the reception in stride. Smart, knows where he is on the field, and plays like a good athlete. Possesses a sense of timing, comes back to the ball to make himself an available target, ". There’s high expectation for him, London will be expected to contribute in his first year.

Edwards will also be a guy that people think can develop into a really good number two wideout for the squad. Some people were surprised the Falcons were able to get him from the Raiders for just a fifth-round draft pick. Edwards is coming off thirty-four catches and 571 receiving yards with four touchdowns. People look at him as only getting better coming into his 3rd year. Then if Tate can remain healthy and return to form, the Falcons may have a pretty good core to work with. I believe the Falcons will keep six receivers on the roster, so there will be a lot of competition to see who gets those spots. One thing about this core as a whole is their much bigger and taller and physical than last year's group of wideouts. Which is exactly the kind of player that Arthur Smith wants.

Tight Ends

It is pretty simple what this position group hinges on: the play of Kyle Pitts. Pitts is considered the number one pass catching target on this team. He had over one thousand yards last year and caught sixty-eight balls. He is expected to get all the attention defensively and still dominate, as people believe he can be a top three tight end by year's end. The biggest improvement for Pitts this year is getting his number of touchdown's up, as he only had the lone one against the Jets last year. If he can stay healthy, Pitts will be able to live up to the name "Unicorn" and break out in his 2nd year. One other guy who can also produce after Pitts, is free agent pick up Anthony Firkser from the Titans. He caught thirty-four balls last year and two touchdowns. He won't be asked to carry the passing catching load at all but could be a sneaky tight end target.

Offensive Line

This is the one position group for the Falcons that have the most questions and could be what determines if the Falcons offense has a successful year. We bring back Jake Matthews who has been steady and consistent. Then we have right guard Chris Lindstrom who some consider one of the better guards in the league. Outside of that, there are questions, starting with Jalen Mayfield. The 2nd year player struggled big time last year. He was given a 49.2 PFF grade and a 27.6 pass blocking grade which aren't good at all.

Jalen has to bounce back this year. He was a rookie who was put into the fire and now after playing for a year can look back on what he needs to improve and get better. The Falcons also drafted Justin Shaffer from Georgia, who will provide competition to Mayfield. That battle in training camp will be looked at very closely, and if the Falcons don't like what they see, don't be shocked if they bring a veteran in.

You have the center spot, which will be between Matt Hennessy and Drew Dalman. These are both young players who are expected to keep developing. Hennessy started all 17 games last year. Dalman did play in all 17 as well but didn’t start. However, Dalman had a slightly higher grade per PFF - 78.3 compared to Hennessy's 77.1. Going to the right tackle spot, we have Kaleb McGary who struggled last year and could be on the chopping block, if he doesn't show improvement or a potential position change. The Falcons picked up Germain Ifedi who could push for that starting job. McGary was graded at 62.8 per PFF and Ifedi, after only playing nine games last year, is on a prove it deal and is looking to make the most of it. If the offensive line can hold up that could be the key to all Falcons success offensive this year.

Arthur Smith is going to be expected to use more of his playbook this year and game plan with his new weapons to create an up-tempo but efficient offense. It will be interesting to see how the offense grows and develops. Don't forget the Falcons are young on that side of that ball, so there is still much player development that has to be done. The Falcons are looking to get back to high scoring form and go up from averaging 18.4 per game last year and keep defenses on their toes.

(Cover Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)