The Atlanta Falcons ended their season on a minuscule hot streak, as they do every season. Their season was full of highs and lows they went from being atop the division to finishing in last place.
There is a lot to build on going into the offseason and draft. They have plenty of assets to become a competitive team once the 2023 NFL season kicks off. However, with every offseason, there come subtractions. Many players you got used to seeing on the field may not return to the team and that is what we are here to cover.
These are five Falcons players who have likely played their final game in red and black:
5. Keith Smith, FB, Atlanta Falcons
Keith Smith has been a solid player for the Atlanta Falcons since his arrival in 2019. He has been a good—not great—lead blocker and has been an integral part of the team’s special teams unit.
With that being said, it seems like we have hit the end of the road for him in Atlanta. He will be a free agent in March and will turn 31 in April. There really is no need to prioritize bringing him back. Not to mention, the team recently signed a high-upside fullback who could take over if he can make a full recovery from a torn ACL.
The #Falcons are signing FA FB Clint Ratkovich to the practice squad, source said. He was one of the draft’s top fullbacks before he tore his ACL in a private workout with the #Packers. Now, he lands in Atlanta with an eye toward the future.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2022
It would be smart of the team to go with a younger option, whether that be Clint Ratkovich or someone else.
4. Marcus Mariota, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Shocked? Yeah didn’t think so. It is an inevitability that the Atlanta Falcons will cut Marcus Mariota. Following his benching and “time away” from the team, it seemed like Arthur Smith was not too happy with the quarterback he spent most of the season defending.
Even without the assumed feud between the team and the player, Mariota did not play anywhere close to the level that would warrant a $14 million cap hit and $9 million salary in 2023. The Falcons, wisely, designed the contract in a way where they could move on from him with just a $2.5 million dead cap hit.
Again, he didn’t do himself any favors by stepping away following the news that he would be riding the bench. He hung his teammates out to dry, especially Desmond Ridder. Arthur Smith doesn’t seem like the type to put up with that.
In other words, Marcus Mariota should be looking into what teams—if any—would be willing to sign him for next season.
3. Rashad Fenton, CB, Atlanta Falcons
Rashad Fenton was basically traded for Dean Marlowe a few months ago. The Atlanta Falcons shipped off Marlowe—who had recently blown a coverage on a hail mary against the Panthers—to Buffalo for a seventh-round pick and turned around and traded a seventh-round pick to Kansas City for Rashad Fenton.
It really was a no-lose situation, but somehow it still felt like the Falcons lost. Atlanta’s secondary, at the time, was struggling without A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward so they took a chance on Fenton. The coaches replaced the much-maligned Cornell Armstrong with him but pretty soon he became the more-maligned player.
They moved him onto the bench permanently which was the quick end to Fenton’s career in Atlanta. He will be a free agent and there is absolutely zero reason to bring him back.
And why does that trade now feel like a loss? Well, because we all watched Dean Marlowe—who took over for Damar Hamlin—make a nice interception in the playoffs on Sunday as the Bills’ starting safety.
2. Feleipe Franks, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Training camp started off with some hype behind Feleipe Franks who went from an Atlanta Falcons depth quarterback to an intriguing tight end. It didn’t take long before he was dubbed by fans as the “why are you still on the roster?” player.
His highlight reel was non-existent and it is maddening. He is such a physical specimen that you would think he would be able to make at least one play during the season, but it clearly isn’t that easy.
There were penalties, missed blocks, and slipping while running routes. It was surprising that he wasn’t let go before the season ended but he likely won’t make the roster during final cuts in August, if he even makes it that far.
I say that using logic, however, Arthur Smith has a liking for Franks, so there is still a sliver of light for the converted tight end. Personally, I want to see Franks succeed because he has a ton of potential but how long can you justify him holding a job over someone else?
1. Jalen Mayfield, OG, Atlanta Falcons
Somehow Jalen Mayfield made a more positive impact in year two by spending the whole season on injured reserve than as a rookie when he started every game. The Atlanta Falcons wish they could have their third-round pick back in the 2021 NFL Draft.
He was one of the worst players in the league as a rookie, there is no other way around it. Mayfield was one of the worst pass blockers any of us have ever seen. He was the weak link on a very weak offensive line. The Falcons’ offensive line somehow did a complete 180 this season with Mayfield on IR from day one—not a great sign for him.
I won’t say that he will be cut but there is no way he will take the field again for Atlanta unless he can make a complete 180 himself.