5 teams that should trade for Colin Kaepernick
By James Dudko
2. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan isn’t what he used to be. The starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons has regressed after seeing key weapons leave or retire.
If that regression continues, the Falcons may find Kaepernick a tempting option. The presence of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan would make this a suitable match.
It was Shanahan the younger who crafted the rollout-passing, option-led scheme that took RG3 and Washington to the playoffs in 2012. The Redskins relied on a system completely tailored to the skills of a mobile quarterback.
It was a run-first formula designed to create successful play action opportunities. Big plays were common through the air thanks to passing concepts drawn up to stretch coverage deep.
Those schematic wrinkles would make the most of Kaepernick’s skill set. For all the criticism of his on-field performances, Kap’s arm strength and talent as a runner are beyond dispute.
He’d be an excellent fit for the Shanahan offense. Its zone-based blocking and shifting pockets would get Kaepernick back to the big play machine he was once he usurped Alex Smith as starter and took the 49ers to a Super Bowl.
The Falcons aren’t likely to have forgotten what he can do. It was Kap who led San Francisco past Atlanta in the NFC Championship Game following the 2012 season.
Next: 1. Buffalo Bills