In the second of a 32-part series, we will feature all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Today we will look at the Atlanta Falcons.
Key-Off Season Acquisitions
The biggest change for the Falcons in the off-season came at quarterback, as the team said goodbye to Matt Ryan, who they traded to the Indianapolis Colts. Ryan had been the Falcons quarterback since 2008. With Ryan gone, Atlanta’s new quarterback is Marcus Mariota, who Atlanta signed from the Las Vegas Raiders. Mariota was the Raiders’ backup quarterback last season as the Hawaii native was behind Derek Carr on the depth chart.
Mariota was one of two key free agents that the Falcons acquired from the Raiders. The other was cornerback Casey Hayward of Perry, Georgia, who the Falcons signed to a two year deal worth $11 million. Hayward had 46 combined tackles, nine pass deflections and one interception last year. He led the NFL with seven interceptions while with the San Diego Chargers in 2016.
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Fantasy Star
The best fantasy star on the Falcons to consider is tight end Kyle Pitts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2021, he had 68 catches for 1026 yards and one touchdown. Now the question will be what kind of chemistry Pitts will be able to generate with Mariota after an outstanding rookie season. He is the third ranked tight end in 2022, only behind Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens.
Prediction
Atlanta is clearly in rebuilding mode. After finishing in third place in the NFC South a year ago, expect Atlanta to be in the basement in the division this year as they are passed in the standings by the Carolina Panthers.
