Falcons OTAs Preview: Desmond Ridder's Growth Leads 3 Storylines to Watch
With free agency and the NFL Draft in the books, it's starting to feel a bit more like football season - and for the Atlanta Falcons, the start of OTAs on Tuesday only further cements that.
Between voluntary workouts and minicamp, there's already been some on-field activity at Falcons headquarters in Flowery Branch, but OTAs marks the first time where a majority, if not all, of the roster will be together.
The Falcons are set to have OTAs from May 23-25, May 31-June 2 and June 6-9 before wrapping up early summer workouts with mandatory minicamp June 13-15.
Here are three things to monitor in the coming weeks ...
Ridder Runs the Show
The Falcons are now Desmond Ridder's team, as the 2022 third-round pick will enter this season as the starting quarterback following a growth-filled four-game tryout to close his rookie campaign.
Ridder, who turns 24 just before the start of the season, completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 708 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while impressing coach Arthur Smith was his command of the offense and ability to win on third and fourth downs.
There were opportunities for Atlanta to pursue other options this offseason - just ask the national media about Lamar Jackson - but Smith stuck with Ridder, and it's his turn to prove the right decision was made.
Of course, nothing Ridder does in OTAs or minicamp will answer that one way or another; the same applies for everyone else on the 90-man summer roster. However, it'll be his first time as the guy, leading Atlanta's offense and building a rapport with new additions such as running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Jonnu Smith and receivers Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller.
Naturally, eyes focus on the quarterback, and with Ridder being given an opportunity to become the Falcons' long-term solution under center, he's certainly under the microscope. How will he handle it? We'll find out together in the coming months.
Who Makes the Year 2 Jump?
Ridder is far from the only 2022 draftee worth watching this coming season, and while his performance helps dictate the ceiling and floor of that class, several of his fellow selections are in line for heightened roles this year.
The Falcons feel like they have two young stars in receiver Drake London and running back Tyler Allgeier, both of whom set franchise rookie records last season - but beyond them, a trio of defenders in outside linebackers Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone and inside linebacker Troy Andersen are filled with upside.
Atlanta appears likely to start Andersen alongside free agent signee Kaden Elliss, giving the former second-round pick a chance to illustrate his immense physical talent. The feeling within the building is that Andersen grew significantly mentally during his rookie season and deserves a chance to start - the question that now exists is whether he's continued to ascend following four starts to close his rookie campaign.
How the Falcons choose to utilize Malone will be interesting in its own right, but his individual growth is also important. The third-round pick from Western Kentucky flashed as a pass rusher but largely made his mark as a run defender off the edge and proved effective dropping back in coverage.
Malone's arrow is pointing up - but can he work his way up the depth chart and play more snaps after seeing just 22 percent of defensive action last season? How he's mixed into the rotation this summer could offer a glimpse.
As for Ebiketie, the need is simple - Atlanta's recorded just 38 sacks in the past two years, and the second-round selection out of Penn State arrived with the reputation of being able to get after the quarterback.
Prior to suffering a forearm injury in Week 12, Ebiketie was playing perhaps the best ball of his rookie season but went quiet while playing with a club on his wrist. Now fully healthy, there's optimism that he can emerge on a defensive front that improved significantly during the offseason.
Other second-year players worth monitoring include tight end John FitzPatrick and left guard Justin Shaffer, each of whom spent last year on the practice squad while battling injuries, and a pair of undrafted players who made the roster last year in receiver Jared Bernhardt and nose tackle Timmy Horne.
Position Battles - Snaps & Opportunities Up for Grabs
Smith has said on multiple occasions that he anticipates summer workouts will be highly competitive, in large part due to increased talent and depth and the number of roles still there for the taking.
One of the bigger questions to be answered includes how Allgeier, Robinson and Cordarrelle Patterson split carries this season, with each player's alignment versatility also being a topic of discussion. Like with Ridder, the answer won't fully come this summer, but seeing rotations and where the Falcons use Robinson and Patterson in particular will have at least some value.
Elsewhere, Atlanta has vacancies at left guard and nickel corner, as last year's preferred starters in each respective spot - Elijah Wilkinson (Arizona Cardinals) and Isaiah Oliver (San Francisco 49ers) - departed in free agency.
The Falcons are eyeing second-round pick Matthew Bergeron to start at left guard, but he'll see competition from Matt Hennessy, Jalen Mayfield and the aforementioned Shaffer, among others. Smith has made it clear that Bergeron will have to earn the starting gig - so, which players get the nod with the first team offensive line this summer? We'll find out soon.
At nickel, Atlanta has several options, including incumbent Dee Alford, free agent signee Mike Hughes and fourth-round rookie Clark Phillips III.
It feels like Hughes, who received a bigger contract than Oliver, has the early head start, but Phillips III feels like the type of player who can outplay his draft slot sooner rather than later ... and those inside the organization are also quite high on Alford, leaving the door completely open for any of the three to win the job outright.
How will it all play out? There's just under four months to answer that prior to Week 1 - but the journey starts Tuesday, and getting off to a fast start only helps.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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