Have y’all ever seen or learn The Lifeless Zone by Stephen King? I’ve been enthusiastic about it rather a lot this week, as a result of that title additionally describes this a part of the NFL offseason.

There’s not a lot concrete information to cowl, which implies we’re spending plenty of our time prognosticating. And that’s what I’m asking you to do right now. What do you see because the three largest questions dealing with this Falcons workforce heading into the 2023 season?

For me, the obvious query is: What’s Desmond Ridder able to because the beginning quarterback? We bought to see him in 4 begins final yr behind some sloppy offensive line play and lacking Kyle Pitts, who was on injured reserve, so I don’t assume analyzing these begins are a good solution to challenge his play this season. He’ll have a full offseason and coaching camp interval to arrange because the starter. Pitts must be wholesome sufficient to contribute this season. And the Falcons have a very formidable operating again rotation, which is able to assist Ridder get his toes below him heading into 12 months 2. I’m not saying he’ll put collectively an All-Professional season, however with the poise he displayed below stress final yr, I’m optimistic.

My second query: Will this workforce lastly be capable to rush the passer? The Falcons actually invested assets into the cross rush this offseason. Atlanta had 21 sacks final season. The 2 Tremendous Bowl groups, the Chiefs and Eagles, had 55 and 70 sacks throughout the common season, respectively. Actually, if the Falcons might enhance to middle-of-the-pack numbers this yr versus rating thirty first within the league, I’ll take it.

Query quantity three for me: How will they deal with this operating again rotation? Tyler Allgeier, Caleb Huntley, and Cordarrelle Patterson had been a fairly good trio final season, and now they’ll add eighth general decide Bijan Robinson to the combo. This unit must be enjoyable to look at, and we’ll see loads of operating again exercise as receivers out of the backfield in Arthur Smith’s offense, but it surely’s nonetheless plenty of expertise to become involved on a weekly foundation.

What do you see because the three largest questions dealing with the Falcons this season? Share your ideas and discuss it out within the feedback!