Falcons vs. Dolphins Practice Preview: What to Watch

The Atlanta Falcons are practicing tomorrow in sunny south Florida with the Miami Dolphins, the first of two sessions before the teams face off in Friday's preseason opener.

It's the first time the Falcons will line up against another team since the season ended on Jan. 8, and things are vastly different, marked by an active free agency period and productive draft class that have helped take expectations to a new level.

There's plenty of intrigue surrounding Atlanta's performance in Miami, especially considering the promising early returns from camp - which is largely what we're here to talk about.

You all asked, we've answered: here's Part 2 of 3 for this week's mailbag.

What position group will benefit the most from joint practices in Miami? - @tish________

The Falcons' cornerbacks are in for a big week, which comes at a less than ideal time following Jeff Okudah's injury; apart from A.J. Terrell as the top corner, every other spot is up for grabs, and Arthur Smith has noted the speed of the Dolphins' offense, which is particularly apparent at receiver.

It's probable that Dee Alford gets the nod in the nickel, but this week is the first big test in that regard. Most of the attention, however, will be on the No. 2 corner spot, where the group led by Tre Flowers and Mike Hughes will get to battle Jaylen Waddle and/or Tyreek Hill on a consistent basis.

The Falcons have plenty of weapons offensively, but the Dolphins' receivers room is one of the best in the league, making this a step up in competition for Atlanta's outside corners.

From a broader perspective, Smith noted that he'll get a "little more of a better evaluation" as it relates to the kick and punt return battles, and he's hoping to see clean operation and execution from top to bottom.

It's also going to be a big week for the Falcons' rookie class, as they'll face a different team for the first time as professionals. A matchup to monitor is left guard Matthew Bergeron vs Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, one of the more productive interior defenders in the league and a good barometer for where Bergeron's at in his development.

Do you believe the narrative that Arthur Smith doesn't have full confidence in Ridder? And that the playcalling will be as QB Friendly as possible, which would result in Pitts and London being sub-utilized? - @FalconsPlayBR

Smith would be the first to shut the narrative down, and in a sense, he already has - when asked about not opening up the playbook for deep shots in camp, Atlanta's third-year coach noted Ridder's simply not forcing the ball and later added that he's hit shots in games as a professional.

Further, it's important to remember that Smith is about as competition focused as anybody inside Atlanta's locker room; he's long stressed not apointing starters early and having players earn their roles ... but Ridder was given the reigns early in the offseason, long before a single snap was taken. That, by all accounts, is confidence enough.

As far as the utilization of Pitts and London, there shouldn't be much concern - during Ridder's four-game stretch last year, London took his game to a new level statistically; his numbers led to a 17-game average of 106 receptions for 1,415 yards.

Similarly, while Pitts and Ridder have yet to take a competitive snap together, the tight end position was notably prominent once Ridder took over last season, with MyCole Pruitt emerging as a particularly big threat in the red zone.

During camp, Ridder's top two targets in the passing game have been London and Pitts, even with the deep element not quite there - thus, the idea of either player being sub-utilized schematically shouldn't be much of a concern.

Do you really think that the current WR group is enough for the season? We still have some FA names and it seems to me that a solid wr3 is missing. - @Edu_henriquee2

The Falcons' receivers room isn't particularly eye-opening, but the overall weaponry at Ridder's disposal is certainly enough, especially with a creative play-caller like Smith on the sideline.

There was one look in camp where Atlanta rolled out London, Pitts, Bijan Robinson, Mack Hollins and Cordarrelle Patterson, which is, technically, a 21-personnel package, but was used in a 10- or 11-personnel look.

Factor in other viable options like running back Tyler Allgeier and tight end Jonnu Smith, and the Falcons have no shortage of pass catchers behind the duo of London and Hollins, which has appeared quite potent this summer.

There's also veteran slot receiver Scotty Miller, whose speed brings an element otherwise not present, and ascending third-year pro Frank Darby, who's in the midst of a stellar camp, among many other options.

So, as things stand, it does appear that the Falcons do have enough pieces - both inside and outside the receivers room.

Could JJ Arcega-Whiteside transition to TE if it doesn’t work out for him at WR? Philly did so with him a few years back - could Atlanta explore in same fashion? - @RIFalcons

That would be quite the reclamation project to take on, but if there's anybody who'd be willing to try, it's Smith. Throughout camp, Arcega-Whiteside has looked at his best working over the middle, and he's struggled when put in one-on-one situations against corners.

So, there's reason to believe he may be better suited for a position switch, and his 6-2, 237-pound frame isn't far off that of the modern move tight end.

As things stand, the Falcons are likely looking at Pitts, Jonnu Smith and Parker Hesse as locks at tight end, but with Feleipe Franks no longer in the picture, the door is open for another to make the roster - and if Arcega-Whiteside proves too valuable to leave off during camp, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that he receives looks as an "F" tight end.

You can submit questions to and follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @ByDanielFlick

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