Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Head Coach
- Arthur Smith
- Offensive Coordinator
- Dave Ragone
- Defensive Coordinator
- Dean Pees
- Special Teams Coach
- Marquice Williams
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
The Athletic's Jeff Schultz and Josh Kendall believe the most likely scenario with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is that he won't be traded this offseason. If they were to trade him, it would likely come as a post-June trade that splits the dead salary cap money across two years ($24.9 million in 2022 and $15.6 million in 2023). The Falcons have the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, but in a weak class for quarterbacks, sticking with Ryan for another year or two might be best for the team's short-term outlook. The 36-year-old signal-caller wasn't terrible in 2021 -- he threw for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions -- but the weapons around him were lacking, especially with No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley leaving the team for personal reasons in Week 7. There's a good chance that Ridley will be traded this offseason, so it could be more of the same if Ryan sticks around in Atlanta in 2022.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has a strong possibility of being traded, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Falcons are hopeful that Ridley does return to the organization next season. Although, the two sides haven't spoken in months after Ridley stepped away from football in October. There doesn't appear to be any team issues, but a new start could be good for Ridley. Although, anyone who trades for Ridley would likely need to extend him with next season being his fifth year. Ridley has the potential to be a WR1, assuming he wants to return to the NFL. However, it seems unlikely that Ridley continues his career in Atlanta. This will be a storyline to follow this offseason.
The Athletic's Josh Kendall doesn't expect Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley to be back in 2022 after he took a leave of absence this year due to personal reasons. There doesn't appear to be any bad blood between the Falcons and Ridley, who last played in October (Week 7) because of a desire to focus on his mental health. He's due $11 million in 2022, and Ridley might benefit from a clean start. There will be plenty of trade partners if Ridley decides he's ready to return to football next season, but his teammates in Atlanta would likely welcome him back with open arms as well. In five games played, Ridley had 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns on 52 targets. He had 90 catches, 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020, so he has the potential to be a WR1 if he returns in 2022.
The Athletic's Josh Kendall thinks that Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage, who will be a free agent this offseason, will be back in 2022. The team's sixth-round draft pick in 2018 would like to re-sign with the team after catching 50 passes for 611 yards in the final eight games. The 25-year-old finished with 66 receptions on 94 targets for 770 yards and four touchdowns in 14 total games, and he was forced into the team's No. 1 receiving role left the team for good after Week 7 due to personal reasons. It remains to be seen if Ridley will return, but if he does, Gage could be even more productive next season with opponents directing more attention and focus Ridley's way. Gage will surely garner some interest around the league, though, as he has 1,556 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 30 games over the last two seasons.
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who was arguably the team's MVP in 2021 after signing a one-year, $3 million deal in the offseason, may be one and done in Atlanta. Patterson led the team in rushing (618 yards) and touchdowns (11) and was third on the team in receiving (548 yards). However, he's 31 years old and averaged 3.6 yards per carry or fewer in the last five games of the season. Interested teams will proceed cautiously in free agency because of his age and diminished returns late in the year, but if a team steps up with a deal in the $7 million range, it will be hard for the Falcons to match that, considering their salary cap constraints and other areas of need on the roster. It might have been an outlier season for Patterson, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect a repeat in 2022, especially if he leaves Atlanta for another organization.