The Atlanta Falcons are shaking things up this offseason. After two years of underachievement, the team has moved on from five of last season’s starters.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn were given one more chance to right the ship, and the team’s moves through the first wave of free agency reflect that.
In order for Atlanta to finish atop the NFC South in 2020, though, it will take more than a few roster transactions. Here are four keys for the Falcons to win what should be a competitive division next season.
Offensive line takes a big step forward
Atlanta made aggressive changes to its offensive line last offseason by bringing in three new starters — two of them rookies — and the early results were bad. The Falcons rushed for 85.1 yards per game in 2019, the third-lowest average in the league. On top of that, the team allowed 50 sacks as the offense was often stagnant and one-dimensional.
Injuries played a factor, though, and when rookie guard Chris Lindstrom returned late in the year, it seemed to spark the entire unit. Kaleb McGary had ups and downs, but played well down the stretch at right tackle. Entering year two, the rookie linemen must solidify the right side of the line for the team to take that next step. Running back Todd Gurley can only be as effective as this group allows him to be.
Play better at home
The Falcons went 3-5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2019, lacking any kind of home-field advantage throughout the year. Worse than their record was the fact that the team simply looked flat when playing at home — something that is unacceptable given the kind of talent Atlanta has, particularly on offense.
Fans will pay to go see a team that wins, or at least plays hard. But when that team is regularly trailing 21-0 by the start of the second quarter, it doesn’t inspire much confidence. Fortunately, Atlanta finished strong and won six of its final eight games. To really contend next season, the team must take care of business at home.
Takk McKinley plays up to his potential
Labeling himself as “A DE who got a sack” in his Twitter bio shows the kind of frustration Takk McKinley is feeling after a season in which he got good pressure, but only recorded 3.5 sacks. He’s still an extremely talented EDGE that has potential to be the player Atlanta envisioned when using a first-round pick on him back in 2017.
Dante Fowler Jr. should be a more consistent presence coming off of the opposite edge than Vic Beasley. Combine that with Grady Jarrett’s Pro Bowl presence in the middle, and it may be enough to help McKinley finally break out. Plus, this is likely his last shot to show the franchise he can be a long-term part of this defense going forward. The more successful McKinley is, the more successful the Falcons will be in 2020.
Hayden Hurst effectively replaces Hooper
Austin Hooper left for Cleveland in free agency, signing a record contract for a tight end. Quickly after his departure, the Falcons traded a second-round pick to the Ravens for Hayden Hurst. While the 26-year-old, former first-round pick has the skill-set to take over Hooper’s role, it’s hard to project success at the tight end position. Hurst finished with 30 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns despite playing in a prolific offense led by MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson last season.
The Falcons’ offense utilizes the tight end as pass-catcher more than Baltimore’s, though, and the third year is generally when things click for young players. Even with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Todd Gurley in place, Atlanta will need Hurst to take that jump and replicate a good amount of Hooper’s production in order for Dirk Koetter’s offense to function properly.
