For the first time in the last three years, the Atlanta Falcons have reason to feel far more optimistic than the Tampa Bay Bucs. Tampa Bay is tearing it all down after going all in for three straight seasons to build around veteran quarterback Tom Brady.
Despite the way it ended Tampa would do it again without question with three straight playoff berths and a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago. This is a team that had a very short window and played at a high level for much of those three seasons.
Now, however, sides have flipped with Tampa working to unload cap and rebuild a roster that has a lot of holes. Baker Mayfield has a tall task ahead of him attempting to replace Tom Brady without a clear run game. Though it is worth noting that the offensive line has improved Baker is still not being set up well to take over from the best to ever play the position.
Tampa's days of contending for the division are done for the foreseeable future with the Panthers and Falcons the only two teams clearly set up to make a division run. With this in mind, let's look at Tampa's roster and consider what three players in Falcons colors would set this Atlanta team over the top.
1. Vita Vea
Despite being in the middle of a rebuild Tampa's roster is still full of pieces that helped push the team to the playoffs for three straight seasons and a Super Bowl win. Vita Vea is a beast in the middle of the Tampa defense and has often been the lone source of disruption for the interior or pass rush over the past two seasons. If there is one thing to complain about for Tampa it was the lack of consistent support that was placed around the defensive tackle.
If there is one thing that we know about Ryan Nielsen heading into the season it is the extreme value and focus the team has placed on the defensive line. This makes sense based on Atlanta's struggles there and the fact that is where Nielsen has coached.
Plugging Vita Vea into Atlanta's current rotation would give the team the best defensive line in the league with a deep rotation. Having Vea and Grady Jarrett start games together would be an absolute nightmare for the opposing offensive line.
Already Atlanta's defensive line has a chance to be the strongest position on the roster adding in Vea would be unfair.
2. Mike Evans
Mike Evans was given plenty of attention when Tom Brady moved to Tampa Bay losing his title as one of the most underrated players in the league. Evans has been in the league nine seasons and every single year regardless of the team or quarterback found a way to put up over 1,000 yards and has 81 receiving touchdowns.
Evans has never been the best receiver in the league but clearly is the most consistent since joining Tampa Bay. That title will truly be challenged this season with huge question marks at quarterback and little run game to help take the pressure off. Can Evans make it a decade straight of 1,000-yard seasons or does it end under Baker Mayfield?
For Atlanta, it is simple to add Mike Evans to this offense as the number one receiver and you have Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Mack Hollins, and Evans as your primary receivers. Making a scary offense easily the most talented group in the league and setting up Desmond Ridder to put up huge numbers if the quarterback is anything close to capable. Even going into year ten Evans is a great number one option and would be a fun addition for Atlanta.
3. Ryan Jensen
There are a number of defensive pieces that would fit well in Nielsen's system for the final stolen player. However, this is Arthur Smith's team we are talking about and is there a player that Smith would love to have on his team more than Ryan Jensen?
Drew Dalman has been a solid starter and should continue to improve this season with a strong unit around him. With that said, there is no debating that Jensen is the far better option and an absolute mauler from the center position.
The way that Jensen plays slightly unhinged would absolutely endear him to Atlanta fans. Jensen is both an elite center and the bouncer that protects your skill players and quarterback. Ryan would thrive in Smith's system and give the team one of the strongest offensive lines in the league.
We know that Atlanta has focused their attention on retaining their offensive line and building up the defensive line this off-season. While it may not be the flashy moves some fans enjoy it is big guys that win football games and bringing in Jensen would help Atlanta win a lot of games in the 2023 season.