The Atlanta Falcons made several big roster additions this offseason with their additions of Kirk Cousins, Matthew Judon, and Justin Simmons. Beyond those moves, there are several returning players -- AJ Terrell, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, etc. -- that are also expected to take prominent roles this season.
This edition of the Falcons have plenty of talent at the top, but successful NFL teams must go deeper than that. So who are some of those under-the-radar players that the team needs?
The 2022 second-round picks on defense are under the microscope this season.
First, it's Troy Andersen. The third-year linebacker was drafted hoping his raw athleticism would translate in the NFL. To this point in his career, it's only been flashes of what could be rather than what is. It certainly didn't help his case that he only played in two games in his second season as a pro after tearing his pectoral muscle last season.
"He's going to be in a situation where it's going to be hard to take Nate Landman and Kaden Ellis off of the field with as well as they played," Beau Morgan said. "Nate Landman put Troy Andersen on notice."
He was a two-way star at Montana State and is still learning how to play the position. The transition was made even harder by the fact that he's playing with his third different defensive coordinator in as many years.
What helps him is his versatility and speed. Now it's on the Falcons to find a role for that.
Morgan continued, "I think if Troy Andersen stands out this year, then you might be talking about one of the better defenses we remember in a long time in Atlanta."
Another critical piece for the Falcons is fellow second-round pick, Arnold Ebiketie.
"Arnold Ebiketie is going to have a guy opposite of him [in Matthew Judon] and he's going to have some good situations to go against," Morgan continued. "He might eat off of that."
The third-year edge rusher only has 8.5 career sacks to his credit and the Falcons will be counting on him to finally take that step forward in 2024.