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4 Atlanta Falcons in danger of being benched this season

By Nick Halden

Dec 5, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ross Cockrell (43) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ross Cockrell (43) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons
ORCHARD PARK, NY – JANUARY 02: Jalen Mayfield #77 of the Atlanta Falcons waits for the snap against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 2, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

1. Jalen Mayfield

If Jalen Mayfield was a free agent addition and not one of Atlanta’s draft picks from the previous off-season the team would have parted ways with Jalen already. The only reason he is heading into the season as the projected starter is the fact Atlanta failed to add to the position and he was one of the first draft picks this Atlanta front office made.

Nothing about Jalen’s 2021 season inspired confidence or gave the team reason to believe he could be a starter moving forward. Consistently he failed his assignments and at times allowed pass rushers through seemingly the moment the ball was snapped.

Mayfield starting week one would be mildly surprising, Jalen ending the season as a starter would be shocking. Of all Atlanta’s current projected starters he is the most likely to be benched and could begin the season there if he continues to struggle in camp and the preseason.

Calling Jalen Mayfield a bust after one season may same a bit of a kneejerk reaction but watching the tape he put together last season it is hard to reach any other conclusion. If he continues to play at the same level Atlanta cannot afford to continue to insert him in the starting lineup.

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