Projecting the Falcons’ offensive starting lineup for Week 1
The Atlanta Falcons finished the preseason with a 2-1 record, and are just a week away from their regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Now that the team has released its 53-man roster, let’s examine some potential starting lineups.
Here’s our starting lineup projection for the Falcons offense in their Week 1 matchup against the Saints next Sunday.
QB: Marcus Mariota
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
It seems like Mariota has locked up the QB1 spot for Week 1. The former second overall pick had a solid preseason, showing off his legs and his arm in what is hopefully a preview of things to come. Expectations are low for Mariota, but Atlanta presents the former Heisman Trophy winner with an opportunity to get his once-promising career back on track. Desmond Ridder also showed some promise, however, the rookie could use a little more seasoning on the bench.
RB: Cordarrelle Patterson
(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
No surprise here after the Falcons re-signed Patterson over the offseason. The return specialist-turned-running back has been a great locker room presence, and his knack for making big plays has made him a fan favorite as well. Patterson is a lock for the starting RB job, however, he’s unlikely to get a full workload. Watch out for Tyler Allgeier and Damien Williams to get a good amount of work in as well.
FB: Keith Smith
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons like to run 2-TE sets, but Keith Smith made the 53-man roster and is the only fullback on the team. Don’t expect him to play a major role on offense this season, though.
TE1: Kyle Pitts
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Kyle Pitts went from a mega-hyped college prospect, to a top-five player at his position over the course of a year. Pitts is the Falcons’ best offensive player, the most explosive talent on the team, and he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. Expect another 1,000-yard season from Pitts, with a major uptick in red-zone production.
TE2: Parker Hesse
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons kept four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster but have since placed TE John FitzPatrick on the injured reserve list. That leaves Pitts, Parker Hesse and Feleipe Franks. Hesse is better-suited for that true No. 2 TE role as someone who can block and catch passes. Franks should also see the field during passing situations in the slot, or just to give Pitts a breather here and there.
WR: Drake London
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Yes, I’m concerned about London missing the rest of the preseason after his 24-yard catch in Week 1. Still, it’s more likely than not that the Falcons are just being cautious with their top-10 pick since he’s likely to play a major role on offense this season. I think we’ll see London return to the field in Atlanta during Week 1.
WR: Bryan Edwards
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Edwards didn’t do much in the preseason, but I also have him penciled in as a starter if healthy. The former Raiders WR was likely to be buried on the depth chart in Las Vegas, so the Falcons rightly pounced on him in the trade market. A third-round pick back in 2020, Edwards has the size and speed to start on the outside.
Slot WR: Olamide Zaccheaus
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Olamide re-signed late in the offseason and should serve as the Falcons’ starting slot receiver this season, assuming London and Edwards are healthy enough to play in Week 1. I don’t expect Zaccheaus to be major factor this season, but he should be a boom-or-bust type of player that has a long touchdown catch every few weeks.
LT: Jake Matthews
(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
Matthews signed a three-year extension over the offseason and he’s been a staple at left tackle since being drafted in 2014. No one is questioning whether or not Matthews will show up. It’s the rest of the offensive line — not including Chris Lindstrom — that fans are worried about.
LG: Elijah Wilkinson
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Wilkinson appeared to be winning the battle at left guard long before Jalen Mayfield was placed on the injured reserve list, along with Deion Jones and three other players. Wilkinson is one of two former Bears offensive linemen to sign in Atlanta over the offseason. We’ll see if he can be an upgrade over Mayfield, who struggled to settle into the left guard role last season.
Center: Matt Hennessy
(Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
This is the position that I’m least certain about heading into Week 1. Drew Dalman, a fourth-round draft pick in 2021, has been splitting reps with Matt Hennessy. The problem is that neither player has really taken the reins at center. Hennessy has the experience factor going for him, though, so I think he just barely holds onto the job going into Week 1.
RG: Chris Lindstrom
(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
Chris Lindstrom is one of a handful of key players on this Falcons team. He’s got a nasty streak up and has developed a good all-around game as an interior lineman. Lindstrom should start to become a household name if he can continue to play at a high level in 2022 — which seems likely.
RT: Kaleb McGary
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
McGary quietly had a solid training camp and the former first-round pick is a bit of a wildcard this season. The Falcons declined his fifth-year option but thus far, McGary has been the best right tackle on the roster — although that’s not saying much. Nonetheless, a big year from McGary could help him secure a second contract and potentially help the Falcons take the next step on offense.
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