The Falcons have rarely been short on offensive weapons since GM Thomas Dimitroff took over the team in 2008. Quarterback Matt Ryan was Dimitroff’s first pick, and wide receiver Julio Jones came a few seasons later.
A great offensive trio requires a top-level running back, though, and after Atlanta released Devonta Freeman back in March, the team quickly brought in Todd Gurley as a replacement. CBS ranked each offensive trio and the Falcons’ new triplets came in at No. 6.
Jared Dubin wrote the following about Ryan, Jones and Gurley:
Ryan is remarkably durable, remarkably productive, and until last season, consistently above average across the board. He took a step backward last season, falling short of league averages in yards per attempt, touchdown rate, and passer rating, each for the first time since 2013. The Falcons had a chance to upgrade his weaponry in the first round this year, but chose to pass on CeeDee Lamb and take a corner instead. We’ll see if he’s still able to reach his ceiling with only two top-tier wideouts as opposed to three.
Gurley was just cut by the Rams, so even though he was slightly more effective last season than popular consensus would have you believe, we can’t justify giving him too high a grade. Jones is arguably the best wideout in football, more efficient on a per-route basis than just about everybody in the league, just about every year. He’s also now got 14 touchdowns across the past two seasons, so hopefully we can dispel with the silly notion that he simply cannot score.
Gurley is the real question mark of this trio, and while there’s no guarantee he can get back to an All-Pro level, his knee looked pretty healthy in his recent workout video.
Now that's leg strength. 💪@TG3II pic.twitter.com/jdycztgmiA
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 27, 2020
As for the top trio, CBS ranked the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 1, while the division-rival Saints were listed at No. 2.
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