One of the biggest selling points to prospective head coaches throughout the hiring cycle was the Falcons‘ young core of offensive talent.
Terry Fontenot has spent three consecutive top 10 draft picks on skill players, along with last year’s second-round pick as well. The team’s GM has done a nice job solidifying the offensive line and surrounding them with dynamic players on the outside.
Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson are about as formidable as any young core in the league, which is reflected in Bleacher Report’s rankings of offensive building blocks.
5. Atlanta Falcons: Quarterback Desmond Ridder (24) is hardly guaranteed a long-term shot, so it’s hard to consider him much of a building block. Still, despite somewhat of a lack of delivery, the talent is absolutely there with Bijan Robinson (22), Kyle Pitts (23) and Drake London (22) at the skill positions. Throw in the potential with guard Matthew Bergeron (23), and this is a strong young foundation.
The Vikings, Eagles, Dolphins, and Lions were the four teams ranked ahead of Atlanta, which isn’t too surprising.
Justin Jefferson is arguably the best receiver in football. Jordan Addison and Christian Darrisaw are also exciting young talents.
The Eagles could be higher in my estimation. Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, D’Andre Swift, and Landon Dickerson are better than any young core outside of Detroit.
Bleacher Report is high on Miami, which I am not. Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, De’Vone Achane, and Austin Jackson are a great young core, but Philly’s is neck-and-neck with them.
The Lions have by far the most attractive young core of Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams.
The Falcons very well could find themselves higher on this list next year. If Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson explode under Zac Robinson, there won’t be many young cores that can compete. That doesn’t even mention Matthew Bergeron and someone like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, who the Falcons could take with their first-round pick.
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