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Falcons Coach Ryan Nielsen 'Excited' About 'Awesome' LB Troy Andersen

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen is expected to have a big second season in 2023. With the help of new coach Ryan Nielsen, Andersen should take a big step.

The Atlanta Falcons are getting well-acquainted with new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

After hiring Nielsen from the New Orleans Saints last month, he has gotten to know a lot of the players he's set to coach in 2023, including rookie linebacker Troy Andersen.

Andersen, a second-round pick in 2022, recorded 69 tackles in his rookie year and flashed some of the potential that made him such a high selection.

"He has the skill set, he's big and I know talking with Troy, I'm excited about this particular player," Nielsen said. "There is definitely a place - he does a lot of things. His skill set allows him to do a lot of things that fit certain things that we want that position to do. He's been awesome - I've had three or four conversations and he's back at home and just kind of getting to know each other. So, that process is going well."

Andersen was drafted with the intention that he would eventually be the team's top tackler in the near future. While players like Rashaan Evans and Mykal Walker were ahead of him on the depth chart this past season, there's a chance Andersen could be given more of a responsibility in 2023.

While there isn't a guarantee that Andersen will be the Falcons' premier linebacker next season, he should be making some kind of progression. And given Nielsen's excitement about Andersen, it appears that progress is being made already.


Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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