2022 Atlanta Falcons Offseason

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What ate your expectations for the offseason, the draft, and free agency?


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'You'd be a fool not to want to play for Art': Cordarrelle Patterson discusses 2021 season, unknown future

Cordarrelle Patterson's market value has skyrocketed. Do the Falcons have the means to resign him? Do they want to? 

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/cordarrelle-patterson-discusses-2021-season-unknown-future

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Why Falcons fans have rooting interest in Titans-Bengals AFC playoff game

Falcons own Titans second-round NFL Draft pick from Julio Jones trade

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/why-falcons-fans-have-rooting-interest-in-titans-bengals-afc-playoff-game

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[Jamaaliver]

2022 NFL Draft's Answer to Every Team's Biggest Problem

Atlanta Falcons: Subpar Pass Rush



Answer: David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

The Atlanta Falcons must swing big at a premium position in order to close the gap between them and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As quarterback Tom Brady continues to play at a high level, general manager Terry Fontenot must do something to knock him off the NFC South pedestal.

In 2021, edge-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. led the Falcons in sacks (4.5) and tied with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett for a team-leading 17 quarterback pressures. Atlanta needs a more consistent difference-maker on the edge.

The Falcons should set their sights on David Ojabo.

Fellow Michigan product Aidan Hutchinson could headline this year's draft class as the No. 1 overall pick. If Ojabo remains on the board after the top five selections, the Falcons should make an attempt to move up a spot or two for him.

Ojabo possesses the speed and flexibility to make an immediate impact at the pro level. This past season, he routinely beat offensive linemen on the edge and accumulated 11 sacks along with 12 tackles for loss.

Bleacher Report

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Any thoughts on us drafting this kid as our QB of the future?

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2022 NFL Draft: 6 Players Who Could Fly Up Boards This Offseason

Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida



Florida running back Dameon Pierce also finds himself sitting outside the top 150 on B/R's Big Board.

However, while for wide receivers and tight ends underutilization can be a ding on the scouting report, for running backs, it can mean fresh legs and a short injury history. Pierce had just 374 touches in four seasons with the Gators, but if he can turn heads during the Senior Bowl, that, combined with his ability and potential, could turn into a major positive.

In the modern NFL, the running back position just simply isn't as valued in Rounds 1 or 2, outside a few special candidates. But Pierce could boost his stock from late on Day 3 to the middle rounds with a strong showing in the showcases leading up to the draft.

"Pierce may not have elite athletic upside, but he's one of the more well-rounded backs in the 2022 NFL draft," writes Pro Football Network's Ian Cummings. "He can provide value on every down, both as a runner and a receiver. And that's something that not all backs can boast."

Teams will be especially interested in the versatility with which they could deploy Pierce. As Cummings noted, "He's an excellent receiver for the position, with a much larger route tree than expected for an RB."

Pierce (5'10", 215 lbs) finished his career at Florida with 329 carries for 1,806 yards (5.5 average) and 23 touchdowns and another 45 receptions for 422 yards and five scores.

Bleacher Report

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NFL Draft slot now set for second-round pick acquired in Julio Jones trade

Titans gave Falcons 2022 second-round pick as part of package for star receiver

We now know exactly where the Falcons will use the second-round pick acquired from Tennessee for Julio Jones.

It's slotted for No. 58 overall, a spot secured by the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The Titans' loss to Cincinnati put it into a certain range with others eliminated in the postseason's second round, and the rest of the games sorted those teams out.

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/nfl-draft-slot-titans-set-for-second-round-pick-julio-jones-trade

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[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

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Falcons offseason checklist: Breaking down free agency options, 2022 Draft decisions, Calvin Ridley's future and more

There are a lot of needs the 2022 Falcons have. We discuss 10 of the most important topics of the offseason.

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-offseason-checklist-free-agency-2022-draft-calvin-ridley

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Falcons hire Michael Pitre as running backs coach

Pitre comes to Atlanta from the Chicago Bears

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-hire-michael-pitre-as-running-backs-coach

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Falcons released DE Dante Fowler.

Signed to a massive three-year, $45 million deal ahead of the 2020 season, Fowler registered a total of 7.5 sacks in his two seasons with the Falcons, which spanned 28 games. The 27-year-old had his 2022 voided after a recent restructure, but the Falcons are cutting the cord early, allowing Fowler to seek immediate employment. Fowler is unlikely to ever replicate his 11.5 sacks playing with Aaron Donald and the Rams in 2019, the season that got him the big deal from Atlanta.

RELATED: 

Atlanta Falcons

Feb 16, 2022, 3:43 PM ET



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[Jamaaliver]

Todd McShay's post-Super Bowl predictions for all 32 first-round picks

6. Carolina Panthers

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

7. New York Giants (via CHI)

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

8. Atlanta Falcons

Drake London, WR, USC

A team has used top-10 picks on pass-catchers in back-to-back drafts three times since 1967, so this might seem odd for a roster that just went 7-10. But the offense could lose five of the eight players who had at least 70 receiving yards last season to free agency, and it's possible the Falcons additionally look to trade Calvin Ridley, who played in five games last year while taking time off to focus on his mental health. London, meanwhile, was on his way to a massive campaign for USC before breaking his right ankle in October. He's a 6-foot-5 target who has the body control and contact balance to make plays over the middle, the speed to produce vertically and the instincts to create against different defensive looks.

The Falcons passed on a strong QB class at No. 4 last April to draft tight end Kyle Pitts, but it might decide to go that route now. Matt Ryan is their guy for 2022, but if they fall in love with one of the signal-callers, it's a good spot to draft an heir to sit and learn behind Ryan. Perhaps Pitt's Kenny Pickett could fit.

9. Denver Broncos

Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah


10. New York Jets (via SEA)

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

ESPN Insider

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This team is five million over the cap. We need to do whatever it takes to improve it. We keep Blank keeps longating this process by thinking we can stay competitive as is.



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Falcons release Dante Fowler after two seasons in Atlanta

The outside linebacker accumulated 7.5 sacks through two years.

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-release-dante-fowler-after-two-seasons-in-atlanta

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Matt Ryan ranked the 15th best QB

https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/17/atlanta-falcons-matt-ryan-nfl-qb-rankings/

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2022 ATLANTA FALCONS OFFSEASON PREVIEW


Key Offensive Stats

Points per game: 18.4 (26th)

Dropback EPA: -.03 (25th)

Passing yards per game: 218 (16th)

Rush EPA: -.17 (30th)

Rushing yards per game: 85 (31st)


https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/article/offseason-team-previews/2022-falcons-offseason-preview

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I'd like our front office to contact Cleveland to see if they have any interest in Matt Ryan. It's being reported that they intend to explore all of their QB options. While Matt Ryan is much older than Baker they may value his experience.

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[atlantabbq99]

I'd like our front office to contact Cleveland to see if they have any interest in Matt Ryan. It's being reported that they intend to explore all of their QB options. While Matt Ryan is much older than Baker they may value his experience.

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Cleveland would be ok, but I would rather look into Denver. Ryan to Denver for a 2nd, or Ryan and a 3rd for a 2nd would be great!

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I'd like our front office to contact Cleveland to see if they have any interest in Matt Ryan. It's being reported that they intend to explore all of their QB options. While Matt Ryan is much older than Baker they may value his experience.

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Cleveland would be ok, but I would rather look into Denver. Ryan to Denver for a 2nd, or Ryan and a 3rd for a 2nd would be great!

That makes more sense.

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NFL suspended Calvin Ridley "indefinitely at least through the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season."

The league's statement clarified that Ridley bet on games during a five-day period in November. This was after he had left the team to tend to his mental health. The memo also states that Ridley was not betting with any insider information. No players or staff members of the Falcons knew he was betting. These notes make it abundantly clear that Ridley was doing this on his own and the integrity of the game was not compromised. Ridley can appeal the suspension but the NFL takes gambling offenses extremely seriously. They will likely push to keep his indefinite punishment in place. After missing most of the 2021 season, this suspension puts Ridley's career up in the air. If he only misses the upcoming season, which is far from a given, he will be coming up on 29 years old the next time he can take the field.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mar 7, 2022, 3:40 PM ET



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