5 dream scenarios for Falcons in 2023 season

The Atlanta Falcons have more than enough pieces to make noise in the NFC South. The question is, can head coach Arthur Smith put them all together? 

The Atlanta Falcons continue to boldly select the best skill players available in the NFL Draft, throwing caution (and defense) to the wind in an effort the build the most explosive offense possible. With Desmond Ridder soon to embark on his first full season under center, the overarching goal for Atlanta is pretty simple: get back to the playoffs.

Atlanta turned heads with the selection of Texas RB Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 pick in April’s draft. Then, Terry Fontenot and the front office pivoted toward free agency with a bigger spending budget than usual. The result was a sudden influx of quality veterans on the defensive end. For the first time in years, Atlanta might actually have the personnel to play both sides of the ball.

Favorably positioned in a very winnable NFC South, the Falcons should hope for these five dream scenarios in the 2023 season.

No. 5 dream scenario for Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts catches eight touchdowns

The Falcons used the No. 4 pick on Kyle Pitts in 2021, a massive investment for a tight end. He was supposed to be a true force of nature, 6-foot-6 with vacuum-cleaner hands and the versatility to unlock Atlanta’s offense in new and exciting ways.

Well, he went for over 1,000 yards as a rookie. If any other tight end does that, it’s an unequivocal success. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. So, fine, it’s unfair to call Pitts a disappointment. That said, Pitts has not lived up to the billing of potentially generational tight end.

He was particularly rough in year two: only 356 yards in 10 games with 28 receptions on 59 targets — way too inefficient for a player of Pitts’ stature and natural talent. That said, Pitts’ biggest weakness has been his complete inability to score. The “best tight end in years” has three touchdowns in 27 career games. Not great, Bob.

Pitts has to get his hands in working order. The Falcons have every manner of running back and wide receiver at this point, but Pitts should be the finisher — the reliable “just toss it up and he’ll catch it” option for Desmond Ridder when Atlanta gets in the red zone. That has decidedly not been Pitts’ role to date, but it’s time for him to turn it around, regain Pro Bowl form, and start putting points on the board.