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3 Atlanta Falcons poised for a breakout season

By Nick Halden

Dec 26, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a pass behind Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a pass behind Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons
May 26, 2022; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) shown on the field at Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Marcus Mariota

Despite the Atlanta Falcons drafting Desmond Ridder Mariota will start this season and establish himself as a starting quarterback in this league. Clarification of what that means is important here, Mariota is one of the best thirty quarterbacks in this league, however, he falls in the bottom third of those starters.

Mariota is going to go from a backup quarterback to a player viewed as a bridge starter much like Teddy Bridgewater has been over the past two years. Going from being benched with the Titans three years ago to starting with the Falcons the bar Mariota has to reach for a “breakout season” is admittedly low.

Atlanta simply needs Mariota to be reliable they aren’t expecting him to step in and be a star quarterback.

Mariota is going to surprise a lot of pundits this season and remind the league what made him a first-round pick. Though it won’t translate to many wins on a very bad roster Mariota will re-establish himself as a starter this season, one many contending rosters will have interest in if the Falcons still decide to give Ridder a chance to start this season.

Next. Ranking Atlanta's top ten players. dark

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