With limited resources, the Atlanta Falcons did a solid job covering their bases this offseason so they aren’t completely exposed at any one position.
That said, there’s still significant room for improvement across several position groups, most notably wide receiver, which Aaron Schatz of ESPN labeled Atlanta’s biggest remaining roster hole following the draft.
“Sure, the Falcons could depend upon Jahan Dotson, who signed from the Eagles this offseason,” Schatz writes. “But last year, Dotson had a 24 out of 100 score in ESPN’s receiver scores, nearly at the bottom of the league. Dotson had fewer than 300 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. Atlanta’s other free agent signing, Olamide Zaccheaus, is more of a slot receiver, while third-round pick Zachariah Branch is strictly a slot receiver. Behind Dotson on the depth chart are Casey Washington and Deven Thompkins, who combined to catch just nine passes for the Falcons last season.”
The additions of Dotson, Zaccheaus, and Branch undoubtedly improved the depth of Atlanta’s receiving corps, with Branch in particular bringing some intriguing explosiveness as a rookie. But as Schatz points out, both Branch and Zaccheaus are primarily slot receivers and likely won’t spend much time lining up outside.
Dotson, meanwhile, is really the only traditional wide receiver capable of consistently lining up opposite Drake London. Perhaps a move away from Philadelphia’s run-heavy offense — combined with increased opportunities after playing behind both A. J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — unlocks something for him. But through stints with both the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, he’s never topped 523 receiving yards in a season, which came as a rookie.
At the same time, if you expand the definition of “wide receiver” to just “pass catcher,” the need for another outside receiver becomes a little less glaring because of Kyle Pitts.
Pitts is essentially a giant wide receiver masquerading as a tight end, and he’s coming off his best season since his rookie year, hauling in 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns on his way to his first All-Pro nomination. The highest-drafted tight end in NFL history has already proven he can line up outside and create mismatches like a legitimate WR1.
Add in Bijan Robinson as one of the better pass-catching backs in football, and Atlanta may feel comfortable enough with the weapons already in place.
Because of Kaleb McGary’s sudden retirement, the Falcons still have roughly $19 million in cap space to address lingering holes on the roster. But considering the versatility of Pitts and Robinson, those resources might be better spent on the other side of the ball.
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(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
