The Atlanta Falcons are a team on the rise and look to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2017.
Defense has been the focal point surrounding the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, but let's dive into the offensive side of the football with five game changers to help propel this franchise to the heights expected of them in the near future.
Atlanta Falcons Michael Penix Jr and Drake London celebrate a TD against the Carolina Panthers.
Atlanta Falcons Michael Penix Jr and Drake London celebrate a TD against the Carolina Panthers.
1. Bijan Robinson (RB)
Bijan Robinson will look to rush for 1,500 yards this season. Increasing the output from the 2024 season, where he ran for 1,456. Look for his receptions out of the backfield to increase as well. With Michael Penix Jr. being a young QB, the more security blankets the merrier
2. Michael Penix Jr. (QB)
As the quarterback goes, so goes the franchise, but in this case, with the Falcons having Kirk Cousins coming off the bench, the QB play should be up to par as long as Penix Jr can stay healthy. Having Cousins off the bench isn't a bad thing, just a costly one. Penix Jr is young, but has the tools and the skillset to get this team to the playoffs. The mental ability is there, and Atlanta is deep on the offensive side of the football with weapons for him to utilize.
3. Drake London (WR)
London should be at or near the 100 receptions number again, and will look to also eclipse the 1,500-yard receiving mark. Having 9 touchdowns last year should give him the confidence to lead this team's wide receiver room again. He is a receiver with the size to high point any football over smaller defenders, and will look to do so by also increasing the targets from last season, when he had 158 looks.
4. Darnell Mooney (WR)
Look for Mooney to receive more targets during next season. He had 106 on the year last year with 64 receptions and only 5 touchdowns. Mooney will undoubtedly be more eager to find the end zone and help this team win. The Falcons will look to get Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud the ball in space and let them do what they do best. Atlanta has had a ton of questions on defense, but the wide receiver room is stacked.
5. Kyle Pitts (TE)
Will this be the year that Kyle Pitts earns his contract? Will his contribution to the team justify the amount of money he will make? Kyle Pitts is indeed a "generational type of talent." But he needs the targets to showcase it. Look for his targets on the year to increase as well as his touchdowns. Having Penix Jr at QB for a full season may be just what the doctor ordered for Pitts as long as he is still on the roster during week one.