After two hype-filled offseasons yielded underwhelming results, Atlanta Falcons fans are taking a wait-and-see approach in 2020.
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff let starters De’Vondre Campbell, Austin Hooper and Vic Beasley walk out the door, and the team will be counting on several younger, inexperienced players to pick up the slack.
Offensively, Atlanta signed All-Pro running back Todd Gurley to replace Devonta Freeman. Plus, the team traded for Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst to replace Hooper.
The Falcons’ offense, which ranked No. 30 in rushing yards per game in 2019, enters year two under offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Will this be a bounce-back season for Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and company, or will the unit be bogged down by lack of balance yet again?
According to ESPN, the Falcons will be just outside of the top ten offensively. Bill Barnwell ranked all 32 offenses and Atlanta came in at No. 12:
The Falcons are in transition as they try to shift badly needed resources from their offense to their defense. They’ve downgraded by dropping from Mohamed Sanu and Austin Hooper to Russell Gage and Hayden Hurst, although I’m optimistic about the former first-round pick Hurst’s chances of repeating Hooper’s production with the expanded role. Running back Todd Gurley is likely an upgrade on the oft-injured Devonta Freeman and will certainly be better as a receiver. Gurley has a high ceiling thanks to this offensive line and a low floor as a result of his knee condition; he could be an Offensive Player of the Year candidate or he could sputter through five games and miss the rest of the year.
Gurley is perhaps the biggest question mark of the bunch. Released by the Rams only two years after signing one of the biggest contract extensions by a running back ever, Gurley has a lot to prove in 2020.
The Falcons should also benefit from an improved offensive line as both of the team’s 2019 first-round picks — Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom — gained valuable experience during last year’s roller coaster of a season.
Familiarity with the system, more continuity up front and lower expectations could be just what Atlanta needs to sneak back into the playoffs in 2020.
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