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Atlanta Falcons: Four players who were misused in 2022

By Grayson Freestone

Oct 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs against Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs against Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons
Nov 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Most of you probably know the skillset of the Atlanta Falcons playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson. He was drafted as a wide receiver a decade ago and then switched to running back.

Patterson has receiving skills, is powerful as a runner, and has explosive burst and speed. Throughout the entire year, Patterson was rarely used as a receiver, instead, he almost exclusively lined up in the backfield.

Related: Cordarrelle Patterson hopes Falcons sign five-time Pro Bowl WR.

We can all agree that his 2021 season was the best of his career, and uncoincidentally, he was used all over the place quite routinely. Sure, there were quarterback limitations for much of 2022 but his usage out wide/in the slot dropped much more than you can blame solely on that.

Look at his snaps by position in 2022 compared to 2021, according to Pro Football Focus:

*Note: 2021 snaps in parenthesis*

  • Total snaps: 382 (472)
  • Backfield: 304 (294)
  • Slot: 35 (65)
  • Wide: 42 (97)

Although he played almost 100 fewer snaps, his snaps at receiver did take a big tumble this past season. In 2021 he was used at WR on about 34% of his snaps compared to just 20% in 2022. His snaps at receiver should be >30% each season.

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