The Atlanta Falcons should give this rookie a chance in week five

The Atlanta Falcons will be without Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage on Sunday against the Jets. While Atlanta has other playmakers their depth at wide receivers is non-existent.  They will be counting on three unproven receivers on Sunday.

On Atlanta’s depth chart Olamide Zaccheaus, Christian Blake, and Tajae Sharpe are the remaining options with only one other active receiver listed.  Rookie Frank Darby is the fourth option and should finally be given a chance on Sunday.

Christian Blake isn’t a player who is going to help this team, he has been a part of this organization and been given limited chances with underwhelming results. Olamide and Sharpe are both valuable role players who will be asked to start on Sunday. Something neither may be capable of.

The Atlanta Falcons need rookie receiver Frank Darby to surprise in London

Having watched tape on all four receivers it isn’t easy to talk yourself into believing any of these four options are going to help Matt Ryan on Sunday. Of the four Frank Darby is the biggest wildcard in either direction. The rookie is an unknown commodity that could help swing the game in Atlanta’s favor.

The Arizona State product finished his college career with 1,317-receiving yards and 13-receiving touchdowns. He was explosive in a college career that was cut short and landed him in the 6th round to Atlanta.

Now Darby is going to have his first real chance at impacting his team on Sunday. Out of their four options, Atlanta should lean on Darby and Sharpe giving both players a chance considering they already know what to expect from their remaining options.

Counting on Frank Darby is a gamble, but Atlanta has nothing to lose due to the fact they failed to add any depth behind Gage and Ridley. Atlanta will lean on Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts heavily, however, Matt Ryan will still need limited production from his receivers. Tajae Sharpe and Frank Darby should be his first two options at the position, a sentence while true speaks to the state of this roster and team in week five.