The Atlanta Falcons are currently one of the best teams in the NFL, but their roster is aging and needs an infusion of youth. They have a lot to consider this offseason, from future contracts for players like Matt Ryan and Julio Jones to where they will find value on draft day.
The “nfl 2022” is the upcoming offseason for the Atlanta Falcons. The team must be prepared to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2022.
Before the 2021 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons hired Arthur Smith as their new head coach and parted ways with Julio Jones in a trade with Smith’s old team, the Tennessee Titans. Instead of picking Penei Sewell or Ja’Marr Chase, the Falcons choose standout tight end Kyle Pitts from Florida in the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite this, they shocked everyone and remained competitive for the whole of the season.
The Falcons went 7-10 in what was supposed to be a losing season, owing in large part to Cordarrelle Patterson’s breakthrough season.
Furthermore, Matt Ryan’s performance has taken a significant step back, and the offense, with the exception of tight end, has a lot of issues. Smith, now in his second season as head coach, has his work cut out for him in bringing a playoff club back to Atlanta.
The Falcons’ game plan heading into the 2022 offseason is as follows.
The most pressing offseason concerns
Yup. However, the Falcons must prioritize adding talent to the skill positions this summer. Ryan isn’t likely to raise used car dealers. https://t.co/uTzmmyL9rd
— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) January 2, 2022
Yes, Ryan performed horribly and seems to be on his way out of the league. He didn’t have much to work with, on the other hand.
Mike Davis underwhelmed, Russell Gage was inconsistent, and Calvin Ridley’s future with the squad is uncertain after his hiatus earlier this season.
Only one Falcons wide receiver gained more over 500 yards (two if you add Patterson), but guys like Tajae Sharpe, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Christian Blake saw plenty of action.
Clearly, the Falcons need a franchise quarterback, but they must first assemble a supporting cast that includes players other than Pitts, who surpassed 1,000 yards in his debut season.
The most important free-agency choices
In 2022, the least amount of salary cap room is expected.
1. New Orleans Saints ($66.3 million) vs. 2. Packers – $46.1 million over three years Cowboys- $19.1 million over four years. Vikings – $11.4 million over five years Giants- $8.4 million over six years. Falcons- $3.4 million over seven. Over $2.2 million for the 49ers. $180,000 Rams Bills – $5 million Cardinals (10th): $10.7 million
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) November 7, 2021
Top free agents: Dante Fowler Jr. (OLB), Russell Gage (WR), Younghoe Koo (K), Isaiah Oliver (CB), Cordarrelle Patterson (WR/RB)
The Falcons are in a bad predicament. At the moment, Atlanta’s cap space does not seem to be promising, making free agency difficult to manage.
Gage emerged as a major receiving threat when Ridley went away, and the Falcons desperately needed pass-catchers. Younghoe Koo must be re-signed, and Patterson has been one of the best bargains in the NFL’s 2021 free agency season.
Oliver was having a good season until suffering a season-ending knee injury in October, and the Falcons secondary desperately needs him back.
Patterson, who exploded for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns in the passing and rushing games, is the biggest unknown here. Will he be able to make a lot of money somewhere else? Or will this be seen as a one-off effort by the teams?
Needs and probable targets for the NFL Draft in 2022
The Eagles have four picks in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft: four Jets, four Lions, three Giants, three Broncos, and three Falcons. 3
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 5, 2022
Top Picks: First round (own), second round (own), second round (from Titans via Julio Jones trade),
Draft Needs: QB, RB, EDGE, OL, CB, S
The Falcons need assistance in many areas. What’s the good news?
Atlanta has three first-round choices and four first-round picks among the first 75 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. That’s one simple approach to bring in new talent.
They’ll need a quarterback to begin with. Ryan’s watch is ticking quicker than it has ever been. Furthermore, there was a strong case to be made that the Falcons should have drafted a quarterback rather than Pitts.
While this class isn’t as stacked at quarterback as the 2021 class was, the Falcons can still grab Carson Strong or perhaps Desmond Ridder in the second round if they choose to wait a little longer.
With Fowler slated to depart for free agency, the EDGE position will be vacant. After 2022, Ade Ogundeji’s contract expires, and the future appears bleak. The Falcons should go with Purdue’s George Karlaftis, who can come in and make an instant impact.
Karlaftis is a gifted athlete who has the potential to be a top-10 selection, but he might fall just short of landing in Atlanta.
Safety If Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton slips enough, he may end up in Atlanta. If the organization chooses to pick a first-round quarterback, Ole Miss standout Matt Corral might be chosen.
The pick they acquired from the Titans is valuable, and they can go a few different ways — OL, RB, WR, CB, LB, you name it. They need help everywhere. Isaiah Spiller, RB from Texas A&M, or George Pickers, WR from Georgia, could be a smart choice.
With minimal budget space, the Falcons will need to make a strong effort in the draft to acquire talent, and the top three selections will be critical.
In 2022, one player on either side of the ball must step up.
Matt Ryan, Falcons quarterback, and Arthur Smith, Falcons coach | Timothy T. Ludwig/ Kevin Hoffman/ Getty Images
Matt Ryan is Matt Ryan, plain and simple.
Yes, he isn’t anticipated to play in the Pro Bowl. Even after his agreement was revised numerous times, he is still making a lot of money.
He passed for 3,752 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions this season. Yikes.
That won’t cut it, and if the Falcons do decide to part ways with him, they’ll have to pay a hefty price. In the worst-case scenario, Ryan performs below expectations and assists in the development of Atlanta’s future quarterback.
On the defensive side, everyone must do their part. Oliver was in good form before to his injury, and he is now a free agent. Grady Jarrett has been doing all he can to get to the quarterback this season, even facing double and triple teams.
Jay, based on the @ESPNStatsInfo rates, he’s faced a double-team on 253 pass rush plays and 148 times on rushing plays.
That’s No. 2 in the league vs. the run & No. 6 in the league against the pass in terms of pure numbers.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 6, 2022
Deion Jones has to improve behind Garrett, and Atlanta’s whole secondary has been questionable at best this season, with the exception of Pro Bowl snub A.J. Terrell.
With Fowler due to leave this summer, the Falcons are expecting for more from rookie Adetokunbo Ogundeji, who will likely move into a full-time position.
The Falcons will have a difficult offseason, but there will be changes in Atlanta.
Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.
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