Coaching
After losing to the Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2016, Atlanta regressed in the win column over the next four years, leading to Dan Quinn getting fired five games into 2020. The Falcons named Arthur Smith their new head coach in January. He ran Tennessee’s offense in 2019 and 2020 while working in their system since 2011.
Dave Ragone makes the jump from Bears’ passing coordinator to Atlanta’s offensive coordinator. He worked in the Titans’ system from 2011 to 2013 as their wide receiver and quarterbacks coach with Arthur Smith. Ragone coached in the NFL for nine seasons, with most of his experience coming as a quarterbacks coach.
Atlanta fell to 18th in offensive yards after having a top-eight offense over the previous six years. In addition, they slipped to 16th in points scored (396), which fell in line with their ranking from 2017 to 2019 (15th, 10th, and 13th).
The Falcons named Dean Pees to run their defense. He has a long successful career with the Patriots and Ravens from 2004 to 2017, leading to two Super Bowl wins (2004 and 2012). Pees ran Tennessee’s defense in 2018 and 2019 before announcing his retirement. He has 12 seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator.
Their defense finished 29th in yards allowed while giving up 414 points (19th). Atlanta ranks 20th or below seven times over the past nine seasons in yards allowed.
Free Agency
The Falcons' top losses in free agency were D Keanu Neal and C Alex Mack.
Neal is a talented player with a first-round pedigree (2016). He missed almost all of 2018 and 2019 with injuries. Neal played under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, where he flashed upside in all areas. His play should improve the Cowboys’ run defense. Neal will give up catches, but receivers tend to gain short yards per catch.
Mack was a great fit for the Falcons’ offense when he signed in 2016. He is one of the top run-blocking centers in the NFL while offering strength in pass protection every year in the league. The Browns drafted Mack in the first round by the Browns in 2009.
Atlanta added Mike Davis to compete for the starting running back job. He handled himself well in relief of Christian McCaffrey last year, but Davis struggled to make big plays, and defenses appeared to catch up with him over the latter part of 2020.
On defense, the Falcons’ signed S Duron Harmon, S Erik Harris, and LB Brandon Copeland.
Harmon allowed too many big plays in the passing last year while finishing as a league-average player in run support. The Lions gave him the most snaps of his career.
Harris comes with veteran experience, but he projects as a bench player. His run defense came up short twice over the past three seasons while making 26 starts in 2019 and 2020. Harris allows some big plays and touchdowns when asked to work in coverage.
Copeland only provides depth at linebacker. His best value to the Falcons comes on special teams.
Atlanta lost CB Darqueze Dennard to the Cardinals in the offseason. He missed eight games last year due to a hamstring injury. The Bengals drafted him in the first round in 2014, but Dennard only had over 700 snaps in one season (2017). His run defense can be an asset, and receivers tend to gain short yards per catch against him.
In early June, the Falcons traded Julio Jones to Tennessee for second and fourth-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023.
Draft
TE Kyle Pitts
His route running has room for growth, along with short-area quickness. Pitts will test a defense up the seam in the deep passing game with the foundation skill set to dominate in scoring in the red zone. His release and movements off the line create easy wins, plus a high level of success in jump balls.
S Richie Grant
Grant brings a coverage feel to the safety position while showing the most promise playing centerfield. His vision played well into his playmaking style, and he works hard pregame prep. Grant can handle most tight ends with help in run support. His downside comes when drawing top-end wide receivers close to the line of scrimmage, which can lead to long scoring plays due to his lack of overall speed. He also struggles with some switches off the snap.
CB Darren Hall
Hall lacks the movements to mirror wide receivers in their route running, which falls on his below pat technique. When in a position to defend a pass, he exhibits quickness and ball skills. Hall puts in his time in the film room, helping his timing and vision. He fires when needed in run support. Play-action passes can leave him in a trail position while lacking the speed to make up for a missed step.
DT Ta’Quon Graham
Graham comes to the NFL as a man without a plan. His quickness won’t win enough off the snap, and he doesn’t have the push or depth of moves to apply enough pressure on the quarterback. Graham does gain points for his hands and length, which will play much higher when adding more strength. The Falcons hope he develops into an early-down run stopper. Graham also needs to see beyond his one-on-one battle in the trenches to improve his chances to make tackles on backs.
DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji
Ogundeji continues to add bulk, but he still hasn’t found the right balance between body and a winning/impact player on the football field. Ogundeji plays with strength an early edge off the snap. Unfortunately, his foot speed doesn’t give him enough coverage area to defend the run, and chasing quarterbacks on the move leaves him in the rearview mirror on too many chances. In a way, his progression in size puts him more on a path to be on the interior than a starting defensive end. Ogundeji plays with fight while needing better technique to create earlier wins in his rush.
CB Avery Williams
Williams played cornerback in college, but his lack of size (5’8” and 185 lbs.) invites downside at the next level. His movements in coverage project well while offering exceptional short-area quickness. Williams excels on special teams, and he has offensive experience in high school (running back). The Falcons will find a way to get him on the field in some fashion in 2021.
T Jalen Mayfield
Mayfield has some key upside components to his game. His vision, quickness, and technique set the stage for a high ceiling player. He comes to Atlanta with limited experience and much-needed work to get stronger. Mayfield understands his role, and he shows a willingness to do the dirty work in the trenches. His pass protection is ahead of his run blocking, with each shortfall tied to strength.
C Drew Dalman
Dalman has two knocks coming out of college – size and strength. His foundation skill set ranks highly in technique, and his hands keep defenders at a distance. The rest of his game screams “winner” while owning the smarts to make good decisions in the heat of the battle. With some hard work, Dalman can turn his questions into answers vs. power players.
WR Frank Darby
His best asset comes in the deep passing game, but his game is full of deficiencies. He plays with strength and quickness while owning questionable hands and route running. Darby falls into the project category.
