The Atlanta Falcons came up short of the postseason once again. The team has invested many of their early draft picks on talented skill position players. The issue is that the Falcons do not use these players how they should be utilized. The offense has been hard to watch at times as former top 5 overall pick, Kyle Pitts, would be left open and still wouldn’t get thrown the ball.
Instead of letting Pitts prime fade away, they should trade him while he still has value. Atlanta has stated before that they have no interest in trading the young tight-end. If that is the case, the target share should be 6-8 targets per game for Pitts and Drake London each. Pitts best game this season came in week 5 against the Texans where he pulled in 7 catches for 87 yards, after that it was a large drop off in performance.
Pitts’ underproduction is not on him, it’s on the system that is under-using him. If Pitts was put in an offense that gets the tight end the ball more like Dallas or Washington (Howell led in passing yards throughout most of the year), he would be much closer to that 1,000 yard mark instead of under 700 yards.
How Can the Falcons Fix their Offensive Inconsistencies?
The team needs to start within. Atlanta has the talent to make a competitive team with Bijan Robinson, London, Tyler Alegier and Pitts. The one missing piece would be none other than the signal caller. Desmond Ridder was the starter for most of the season but was one of the reasons the Falcons lost their last four games.
If Ridder is not the answer, the Falcons are in luck because this quarterback draft class is very talented. Atlanta has the 8th pick in the 2024 draft. This is the season for the team to get their franchise quarterback. Caleb Williams will go number one most likely unless the Bears keep their pick.
This means that the Trojan passer could be available through a trade. The price will be heavy but Williams is just what this team needs to get back into the postseason. Williams, alongside Robinson, London and Pitts would make for a firepower of an offense.
The Falcons already have a great offensive line and just need to put the pieces together to win the NFC South. In the 2nd and 3rd rounds, the team should target a pass rusher, just to give them that added dimension that we haven’t seen in the past decade.