Why the Atlanta Falcons could keep Mike Davis next season

Mike Davis was certainly in the running for most disappointing Atlanta Falcons player of the 2021 season. Davis was brought in after a great season with Carolina and expected to help bring in the run system Arthur Smith employed with the Titans.

Instead, Davis struggled massively and became close to unplayable at times despite Atlanta lacking other options. Cordarrelle Patterson was clearly the starter but behind him, it was a guessing game as to what Atlanta would receive in any given game.

It has been well covered by this site and others that it is in Atlanta’s best interest to free up cap space and move on from Davis. However, there is an argument for keeping the veteran and we would be remiss if we didn’t look at both sides of the ball.

There is a case to be made the Atlanta Falcons shouldn’t move on from Mike Davis

Any case made for Mike Davis has to be based on two clear assets he brings to Atlanta. The first is the fact that he was Atlanta’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award speaking to the person he is in and out of the locker room. A nomination for the award isn’t made lightly and the fact it was Davis speaks to what he brings to the team even if it didn’t translate to on-field production.

The second is the fact that Davis is a great blocker who often set the table for a play or saved Matt Ryan from taking punishment. It was a noticeable skill set that Atlanta has lacked at the position for years.

If Atlanta decides not to move on from Mike Davis it will be with these skill sets in mind and the hope that Davis can take a leap forward next season. While he didn’t play well there is also the fact that he was behind a terrible offensive line that rarely opened up holes and wasn’t suited to Mike’s slow bruising style.   A style that could be back in Atlanta if the Falcons believe Davis can truly take a step forward next season.