Falcons 'Want to Throw More,' But Can't Without WR Depth

Heading into training camp, do the Atlanta Falcons need to sign more wide receiver talent?

The Atlanta Falcons will continue the run-centric offense they deployed last season, but times are changing. 

Despite drafting running back Bijan Robinson higher than any rusher in five years, The Athletic has reported that Atlanta plans to increase the volume of their pass attack in 2023.

“The Falcons have a lot of pseudo-receivers going by different names, like tight end Kyle Pitts and running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Bijan Robinson, but their actual No. 3 receiver is free-agent addition Scotty Miller, who had 23 catches last year in Tampa Bay. Atlanta wants to throw the ball more than it did a year ago (which won’t be hard) and adding more targets will only help second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder,” The Athletic’s Josh Kendall writes.

Last season Atlanta had the second-fewest passing yards of any offense in the NFL, only throwing for 2,927 passing yards. However, the team could have a more balanced offense now that Ridder is more familiar with the Falcons’ playbook. Of course, passing will be a lot easier if they sign more receiving talent. 

As The Athletic noted, Miller is one of the team’s top wide receivers despite lacking much of a resume, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more proven options sitting in free agency. 

If Atlanta truly wants to elevate their passing attack, they could go after proven Pro Bowl wide receivers that have fallen upon hard times, such as DeAndre Hopkins, Kenny Golladay, Julio Jones, or Jarvis Landry. 

Improving the organizations receiving core could be the difference between winning the NFC South this season or falling just short of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

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