Former NFL GM Reveals Biggest Falcons Concern
Given that they've seemingly overachieved by winning seven games in each of coach Arthur Smith's first two seasons, it feels like the Atlanta Falcons have to be considered as a contender in the wide-open NFC South after adding safety Jessie Bates III and running back Bijan Robinson this offseason.
But from a long-term perspective, it's still unclear whether Smith and general manager Fontenot have set the Falcons up to have a sustained run of success.
Randy Mueller is the director of player personnel for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, and was previously the general manager for both the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins. A contributor for The Athletic, Mueller laid out what his biggest concern about the Falcons.
"Do they have enough bells and whistles at premium positions and game-changing spots?," Mueller wrote. "When picking high in the first round in any draft, some teams’ goals are either big guys (tackles or defensive linemen) or fast guys who force teams to either defend you differently (perimeter speed) or allow you to get to the passer on defense. Grinding out touchdowns with RPOs and play-action passes only has so much shelf life."
Mueller was quick to point out that he does believe that Robinson -- the No. 8 overall pick -- will be a strong weapon for Smith and the Falcons to lean on. He remains unconvinced that Desmond Ridder is the answer at quarterback, though, referring to him as "at best a work in progress."
The problem with building your skill-position core with Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London before you're sure if you have your franchise quarterback is you could end up good enough not to be in position to draft a gifted prospect, but not good enough to win a title. If it's clear halfway through the season that Ridder isn't the long-term answer at quarterback, could backup Taylor Heinicke help the Falcons to compete if it only takes eight or nine victories to win the NFC South? Perhaps, but he's certainly not going to take you to a Super Bowl.
From here, the biggest concern in Atlanta should be the possibility of ending up in purgatory at quarterback. And considering the Falcons have had three consecutive top-10 picks, it's kind of hard to believe they are in that situation.
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