Atlanta Falcons week three rookie report

The Atlanta Falcons rookie class continued their impressive start on Sunday with Drake London continuing his role as Mariota’s primary receiver. London finished the game with 54-receiving yards and another clutch touchdown grab. London has been Mariota’s favorite target early on this season, however, Marcus was obviously forcing the ball to Kyle Pitts in this game to attempt to get the star tight-end going.

Defensively Atlanta’s rookies didn’t have a huge impact with Arnold Ebiketie and Troy Andersen combining for four tackles and blending in with a middling Atlanta Falcons defense. Ebiketie has struggled to register pressure the last two weeks after a great start in week one sacking Jameis Winston and consistently causing pressure when he was on the field.

Andersen is earning more playing time based on the plays he has made on special teams and should continue to see an increase in snaps throughout the season. This is a rebuilding year for the Falcons leaving zero reasons not to throw him consistently into the lineup to evaluate and perhaps find a surprise contributor. He has already shown an impressive playmaking ability by blocking a punt in week two that gave the Falcons a chance at a comeback.

It was his play that put the Falcons in a position to have a real chance at the largest comeback in franchise history and gave the Atlanta defense a spark to get a stop.

London has been the obvious story of Atlanta’s rookie class, however, Andersen’s early success is encouraging as well and should demand Atlanta continues to increase the rookie linebacker’s snaps each week this season.

Rookie running back Tyler Allgeier continued his slow start now with only 54-rushing yards on the season rushing for 3.4-yards per carry hardly the start the Falcons were hoping for from their rookie running back.