Falcons vs. Dolphins: 7 players to watch in Week 7

The Atlanta Falcons were manhandled by the Miami Dolphins back in the preseason, but we all know coaches approach things differently in the regular season when the games count for something. Neither team has impressed much through the first six weeks of 2021, although the Falcons seem to be on the upswing.

On the the other hand, the Dolphins appear to be on the verge of a blockbuster trade involving starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Here are seven players to watch when Miami hosts Atlanta in Week 7.

Falcons WR: Calvin Ridley

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Ridley will make his return in Week 7 and this could finally be the game where he records a reception longer than 22 yards — his current high this season. It hasn’t been a bad year for Ridley, catching 27 balls for 255 yards and one TD (9.4 yards per catch), but the big-play threat clearly hasn’t hit his stride yet in Arthur Smith’s offense.

After Kyle Pitts established himself as a bonafide threat in Week 5, both Ridley and fellow starting receiver Russell Gage return to give Matt Ryan a nice arsenal of weapons on Sunday. The pass blocking hasn’t been stellar by any means, however, we’ve seen steady improvement from this young group each week. With a little protection up front in Week 7, perhaps Ridley logs his first 100-yard game of 2021.

Dolphins WR: Jaylen Waddle

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Waddle has played well from the jump but had a monster game in Week 6 when he hauled in 10 catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars. While Waddle hasn’t quite gone to Ja’Marr Chase levels this season, his 37 catches, 301 receiving yards and three touchdowns have been a bright spot for this struggling Dolphins team.

The young receiver is already proving to be a leader as well. Waddle spoke up in response to the recent trade rumors, saying the team is focused on football.

Falcons LB: Adetokunbo Ogundeji

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With Dante Fowler potentially out Sunday, look for rookie Ade Ogundeji to get more reps at outside linebacker. Once the gem of the Falcons’ preseason, Ogundeji got off to a quiet start. His playing time has increased for two consecutive weeks, however, logging a season-high 67 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in Week 5.

Even if Fowler does play, I’d expect Ogundeji’s workload to continue to increase in Week 7.

Dolphins QB: Tua Tagovailoa

MiAP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Tua can’t seem to catch a break this season. First, he’s injured, then he’s involved in trade rumors for Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson. And not only that, he’s constantly compared to young superstar Justin Herbert. So, how has the former Alabama signal-caller played this season?

Appearing in just three games, Tagovailoa has thrown for 544 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of 86.7. Atlanta’s pass defense hasn’t been tough to beat this year, so the second-year QB has a good chance to remind the Dolphins’ brass why they selected him so high not too long ago.

Falcons TE: Kyle Pitts

(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Pitts had his breakout game in London, catching nine balls for 119 yards and a touchdown during Atlanta’s 27-20 win over the New York Jets. Was this simply the result of a bad Jets defense facing a Falcons offense missing both of its starting wide receivers? Possibly, but I’m going to say no. Pitts has been heavily targeted since Week 1, and now Matt Ryan appears to have built some trust in the rookie tight end.

Plus, it’s not like the other Falcons pass-catchers have done all that much this season. Pitts looks like the real deal and I anticipate he will start to consistently put up big numbers over the final 12 games of the year.

Falcons safety: Jaylinn Hawkins

(AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Hawkins missed practice on Wednesday due to illness, but the second-year safety is coming off a stellar performance that included his first-career interception in Week 5. Since the Falcons’ secondary has been a work in progress, we would hope to see more of Hawkins this week as he offers more upside than the team’s veteran options.

In Week 5, Hawkins led the team with a 90.7 defensive rating from Pro Football Focus.

Falcons RT: Jason Spriggs/Colby Gossett?

(Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Just when things start to come together for the Falcons up front, right tackle Kaleb McGary landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Despite guard Josh Andrews’ return, head coach Arthur Smith said he doesn’t intend to move rookie Jalen Mayfield over to right tackle where he played in college and during the first half of training camp. Considering Mayfield’s rocky start and gradual improvement, it makes sense to leave him at left guard and see if he can develop into a long-term option beyond 2021.

But who will fill in for McGary? According to Smith, the team will roll with either Jason Spriggs or Colby Gossett. Spriggs has more experience, appearing in 49 over the past six years and making nine starts. As for Gossett, he’s played in seven career games with four starts. Both have appeared in multiple games this season for Atlanta, but I’d expect to see Spriggs out there come Sunday, assuming McGary is out.

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