Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Head Coach
- Arthur Smith
- Offensive Coordinator
- Dave Ragone
- Defensive Coordinator
- Ryan Nielsen
- Special Teams Coach
- Marquice Williams
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
ESPN's Field Yates thinks the Atlanta Falcons will re-sign impending free-agent offensive tackle Kaleb McGary this offseason. McGary's breakout season in 2022 in his fourth NFL campaign should net him a big payday. Atlanta's quarterback situation is a big question mark, but they'll also need to ensure that whoever is under center has a dependable line in front of him. McGary could command a contract of $12-plus million per year on the open market. The 27-year-old had his fifth-year option declined last offseason, but he really stepped up his game at the right time as the Falcons' starting right tackle.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) is unlikely to be with the organization next season. The 29-year-old left the team after getting benched and underwent surgery on his knee. The Falcons would save $12 million by cutting Mariota before June 1st. That being said, it seems increasingly likely the Falcons will move on from Mariota. The rebuilding Falcons will likely find another veteran to stick behind youngster Desmond Ridder. As for Mariota, he should be able to catch on as a backup elsewhere, but it's hard to believe he'll find a starting job to begin the 2023 season.
It sounds as though the Atlanta Falcons haven't given up on making Feleipe Franks a tight end. The former college quarterback was moved to the tight end position last year and showed flashes during training camp, but he didn't have any catches during the regular season and was only targeted twice. Franks is under contract for less than $1 million for 2023, so the Falcons can afford to be patient with his development. It's disappointing that the 25-year-old didn't do anything at all in the passing game, especially considering Kyle Pitts' season-ending knee injury. Franks played more than five offensive snaps in a game just once in 2022. He should have a bigger offensive role in 2023, but he won't be on the fantasy radar at all unless Pitts misses time with another injury.
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to re-sign impending unrestricted free-agent wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and KhaDarel Hodge this offseason. Zaccheaus was second on the team with 40 catches for 533 yards in 2022. "Just an extremely unselfish guy and the kind of guy you want in your program," wide receivers coach T.J. Yates said. Hodge had just 13 receptions for 202 yards but led the team with nine special teams tackles. Both wideouts entered the league as undrafted free agents and can probably be brought back on affordable deals. Zaccheaus struggled with rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder under center over the final four games, catching just eight passes on 17 targets for 55 yards. Neither Zaccheaus nor Hodge will open the 2023 season on the fantasy radar.
The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that the consensus is that nobody outside the Atlanta Falcons building knows whether the team is committed to quarterback Desmond Ridder for the long term because no one inside the building is talking. Ridder started the final four games of 2022 and went 73-for-115 for 708 yards, two touchdowns and a 112.9 passer rating on third downs. "I don't think it's smart business strategy ever to give away what your plan is," head coach Arthur Smith said. One private QB coach watching practices at UNLV this week expressed concerns about Ridder's throwing motion and how it will affect his accuracy and arm health down the road. Ridder's QB coach Jordan Palmer, however, notes how cerebral he is and says he's "set up for success." Atlanta has the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft and enough salary cap space to add a high-profile QB, but they could also be content to let Ridder open the 2023 season as the starter under center.
