Final season was a troublesome one for Atlanta Falcons followers and fantasy soccer managers alike. The staff’s offense left a lot to be desired, fighting inconsistency and underwhelming performances all through the season. Regardless of having excessive hopes for playmakers Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts, every struggled to dwell as much as expectations whereas coping with erratic quarterback play and questionable play-calling from former head coach Arthur Smith.
Nonetheless, as managers sit up for the 2024 season, there’s purpose for optimism. The Falcons employed Raheem Morris and added Kirk Cousins in free company in an effort to deal with their offensive woes. These strikes may give them a top-10 fantasy offense.
Here is the the explanation why managers ought to be assured within the Falcons’ offense:
New teaching employees
The Falcons fired Smith after he completed with a 21-30 report over the previous three seasons. Regardless of being introduced in as an offensive-minded coach, Smith’s offense by no means flourished. The Falcons didn’t common greater than 22 factors per sport, completed twenty sixth in scoring in each 2021 and 2023 and tied for fifteenth in 2022. Now, Atlanta has Morris as head coach and former Rams quarterbacks coach and passing sport coordinator Zac Robinson as its offensive coordinator.
Robinson spent previous three seasons working with Matthew Stafford, who averaged 266.8 passing yards and 17.5 fantasy factors per sport over that span. In 2019, he coached Jared Goff, who averaged 290 passing yards and 16.4 fantasy factors per sport working with Robinson. The Falcons averaged solely 209.6 passing yards per sport in a run-heavy system below Smith, however Robinson’s expertise with Rams head coach Sean McVay suggests the Falcons ought to have a extra balanced offensive technique this season. Los Angeles ranked thirteenth in cross and rush makes an attempt per sport, seventh in whole yards and ninth in factors per sport final season, showcasing McVay’s modern offensive schemes that lean closely on outside-zone ideas, movement and bunch formations.
Cousins and the Falcons are an ideal match
The Falcons really feel nice about Kirk Cousins upgrading the quarterback place this upcoming season. Cousins accomplished 69.5% of his passes final season and averaged 19.3 fantasy factors per sport earlier than struggling a torn Achilles in Week 8, which ended his season. Cousins has additionally confirmed to be very constant over the course of his profession. He has averaged 18.5 fantasy factors per sport since 2019 and has the third-highest passer score (106.6) over that timeframe. Given Cousins’ state of affairs with the Falcons and the playmakers round him, he’s finest seen as a high-end QB2 with the potential to be a fringe QB1.
Whereas Morris is a defense-oriented coach, he has surrounded Cousins with a superb assist system, together with Robinson, QB coach T.J. Yates, assistant QB coach D.J. Williams, senior offensive assistant Ken Zampese, offensive assistant Ok.J. Black, and cross sport specialist Chandler Whitmer. All of those coaches performed quarterback in faculty and Zampese has 17 years of QB teaching expertise.
Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke did not have this sort of assist system final season, so Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr. ought to be capable to thrive with an elevated emphasis on the passing sport.
Breakout seasons forward for London, Robinson and Pitts
London is the WR15 in present ESPN ADP. Whereas constrained by Smith’s run-heavy scheme, he was productive when focused (1.5 fantasy factors per goal) and is primed for a breakout 2024 season. He has averaged solely 10.7 fantasy factors per sport to date in his profession and has been outdoors the highest 20 in targets his first two seasons, however he’s nicely positioned to see profession highs in a number of statistical classes this season. London excels at route operating and making contested catches, which Cousins ought to leverage. Cousins’ prime receiver throughout his time with the Vikings averaged 9.1 targets and 18.1 fantasy factors per sport, offering a glimpse of what London may obtain. He’s finest valued as a high-end WR2, with room for enchancment because the season progresses.
Had been you one of many fantasy managers upset by Pitts’ efficiency the previous two seasons after his wonderful rookie yr in 2021? If that’s the case, do not let that deter you from drafting him this season. Pitts was relegated to blocking duties over the previous two seasons and did not get many alternatives to make use of his appreciable abilities as a receiver in mismatches towards linebackers. He ran simply 20% of his whole routes with a linebacker in protection and 65% of his targets have been uncatchable. With Cousins now within the combine, Pitts’ manufacturing ought to enhance. He ought to be thought-about as a low-end TE1 and is somebody to focus on within the center rounds. He is projected to see the second-most targets on the staff behind London.
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Robinson completed his rookie season as RB9, but it surely was a blended bag due to Tyler Allgeier’s involvement within the backfield. Robinson noticed solely 47.5% of the speeding makes an attempt however excelled as a receiver. He ranked within the prime 5 amongst RBs in routes, targets, yards and receiving touchdowns, however had simply two speeding makes an attempt contained in the 5-yard line, an enormous hit to his fantasy scoring potential. Robinson is deadly as each a runner and a receiver and Kyren Williams’ 2023 season (21.7 touches and 21.2 fantasy factors per sport) offers us a glimpse of what we would see from Robinson this season. The Falcons’ offense will seemingly use numerous speeding ideas to get Robinson into the open subject. He’s set to feast behind a stout offensive line that may return all 5 starters. Robinson is the second-highest RB on my draft board this yr, behind solely Christian McCaffrey.
Bringing all of it collectively
The Falcons’ offense has a great deal of potential this season and fantasy managers ought to be excited. Cousins, London, Robinson and Pitts shall be focused in all leagues, however do not forget about Darnell Mooney as a WR5, particularly in deeper leagues. He’s unchallenged because the Falcons’ No. 2 receiver and has sleeper enchantment if he can keep wholesome. Ensure you go away drafts with at the least one Falcons participant in your roster.
