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Atlanta Falcons three players to watch closely this pre-season

By Nick Halden

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - JULY 30: Defensive Assistant Matt Pees of the Atlanta Falcons works with Deion Jones #45 and Erroll Thompson #53 during training camp at IBM Performance Field on July 30, 2021 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - JULY 30: Defensive Assistant Matt Pees of the Atlanta Falcons works with Deion Jones #45 and Erroll Thompson #53 during training camp at IBM Performance Field on July 30, 2021 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Falcons
Jun 9, 2021; Flowery Branch, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby (88) catches a pass during mandatory minicamp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Who earns a role behind  Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage

The receiver position is set for Atlanta barring an injury. Gage and Ridley will be the starters and the primary targets along with Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts. The question remaining is who will back up the receiving duo?

Frank Darby and Christian Blake are the two players you should watch most closely during camp and the pre-season. Blake seemed to be on the cusp last season of becoming a contributor and Darby is a rookie who could become a surprise impact player.

The biggest concern with Darby should be his ability to run routes at the next level. It seemed he often relied on his superior physicality to make catches beating defenders who were still plastered onto him.

While this skill set is a plus Darby will only have success at the next level if he can improve his route tree and learn not to rely on his physicality alone.  Again it wouldn’t be surprising if Atlanta were to bring in a veteran to add in to this competition as well.

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