For a team that missed the playoffs last season, the Falcons clearly saw a bright future. That was evident with the way they approached this offseason.
With Tom Brady retired, the NFC South is now wide open, and the Falcons responded by loading up in free agency. They made some hugely necessary additions on defense, most notably the signing of star safety Jessie Bates. They also added up front with the likes of Calais Campbell and David Onyemata, among others.
There were some noteworthy picks in the draft too, with the Falcons taking Bijan Robinson at No. 8 overall before snagging offensive linemen Matthew Bergeron in the second round. The Falcons had promise on offense last season, thanks mostly to the three-headed monster at running back with Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley (who will start the season on the active/PUP list).
Now, they get the boost from Robinson, which should hopefully help second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder take a step forward. If he doesn’t, they signed a quality backup in Taylor Heinicke.
Audacy NFL insider Brian Baldinger said on “In the Huddle” that head coach Arthur Smith must be thrilled.
“Arthur Blank went all in. If you’re Arthur Smith right now, you’re the head coach, you can’t ask any more of your owner I don’t believe,” Baldinger said. “Defensively they added defensive tackles, safeties. Like, they went all-in, and their schedule is not strong.
“This should be – to me they’re the favorites to win the division, because the schedule, the upgrades in talent, what I believe the coach can be. They’ve got to go do it, and we’ve got to see the quarterback elevate himself, but it surprised me to see Atlanta be this aggressive, because it’s not what they’ve done in the past.”
To Baldinger’s point, the Falcons have to put it altogether on the field. But with so much uncertainty around the division and Atlanta brimming with talent, it’s not the least bit far-fetched to believe they could take the South title this season.
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