By: Jake Rajala

The Atlanta Falcons will need to rely on underdog talent if they want to play spoilers in 2022. With that said, I’m going to simply untwine three breakout candidates that should help the Falcons be more dangerous in 2022.

Mykal Walker

Mykal Walker has been a special athlete with limited production. Well, I believe his coming-out party will occur with a larger role in his third NFL season. I also expect the injury-riddled Deion Jones will likely be traded (or cut) from the team. Falcons Wire has suggested that Jones is a post-June 1st trade candidate and I would be shocked if the LB group that witnessed a couple of new faces (including a wiser Walker) breaks up with Jones.

Chris Lindstrom

Chris Lindstrom had his best season in 2021, as he only allowed eight QB hits and 23 QB hurries. I expect him to not only improve but become more noticeable in the Matt Ryan-less offense. Touchdown Wire has already pointed out that Chris Lindstrom is one of the league’s most underrated players. I foresee a Pro Bowl berth on the horizon for Lindstrom.

Drake London

Drake London may be a rookie, but I expect he will be a fantasy football gem in 2022. The recent eighth overall pick has already garnered serious praise from his teammates. Kyle Pitts believes that the physical WR will be the best rookie from the draft class. London should really be a popular target in the Calvin Ridley-less offense in high-scoring NFC South showdowns.

The post 3 breakout candidates on the Atlanta Falcons appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Atlanta Falcons are surely a re-building NFC South squad in the early days of OTAs. It appears that their outlook may be less exciting and ambiguous after the unfortunate Deion Jones news. Per The Falconholic, he will miss the entire off-season with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old LB recorded 137 combined tackles and 2 sacks in 2021. There have also been reports that the Falcons could trade Jones, who currently carries a $20 million cap number.

After the Falcons moved on from Julio Jones in 2021 and Ryan this off-season, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the Falcons parted ways with Jones.

The Falcons LB Mykal Walker will look to have a large role on the Falcons defense. PFF also stated that he is the Falcons breakout player in 2022. The former Alabama thumper Rashaan Evans will also look to make an impact in his first season in Atlanta. The 2022 second-round ILB Troy Andersen also recently inked his contract, per NBC Sports. It’s clear that if the Falcons decide to move on from the talented, yet expensive Deion Jones, they still have lots of potential at their LB spot.

The Falcons winning chances will still unequivocally rely on their QB Marcus Mariota and his ability to properly utilize the likes of Kyle Pitts, Cordaralle Patterson, and Drake London. Well, Falcons fans should rejoice that Mariota and Pitts are already making magic happen together. Per Falcons Wire, the former Oregon Duck and Pitts nicely connected on a deep ball yesterday.

Mariota may not be Matt Ryan, but he is definitely his arm talent in late May. If he can oust damage with his legs while making impressive throws to his explosive WR group, he could be a unique, upgrade over the 2021 version of Ryan.

The post Atlanta Falcons rumors and news right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.