Troy Anderson, Inside Linebacker
Selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Anderson has yet to live up to the billing of
a top-50 pick. Despite showing flashes, including a career-high 16 tackles and a pick-six against
the New Orleans Saints last season (a performance that earned him Defensive Player of the
Week), his development has unfortunately been hindered by a series of injuries, forcing him to
miss a total of 25 games since 2023. The 2025 season is pivotal for the fourth-year linebacker,
as it is the final year of his rookie contract. With the offseason signing of Divine Deablo to
accompany Kaden Ellis and the versatility of first-round pick Jalon Walker, it is pivotal that
Anderson continues to develop and stay healthy.
Ryan Neuzil, Center
The departure of Drew Dalman in free agency created a hole in the Falcons’ offensive line.
Dalman was Atlanta’s starting center for three years and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2023 and
- PFF ranked Dalman fifth at his position (78.8 grade), allowing just 10 pressures on nearly
300 snaps and facilitating Atlanta’s potent rushing attack. The Falcons signed Neuzil to a
two-year, $9.5 million deal this offseason, as he is penciled in as the team’s starting center in - Neuzil, like Dalman, is an average pass blocker. However, Neuzil received a 60.5 grade
as a run blocker and led all centers in penalties (seven) despite starting just eight games last
season. Nonetheless, some of Atlanta’s offensive performances last season came with Neuzil
starting, including Kirk Cousins’ 500-yard game in the Falcons’ 36-30 overtime victory over the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Neuzil’s development as a center will be essential to the Falcons, not
only for maintaining their success on the ground but also for the development of second-year
quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Ruke Orhorhoro, Defensive Tackle
The Falcons traded up to select Orhorhoro with the 35th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Like the
rest of Atlanta’s 2024 class, he saw limited playing time, appearing in eight games and
recording 11 total tackles and one tackle for loss. Orhorhoro was not elevated to the active
roster until Week Five and sustained an ankle injury in Week Eight, which kept him sidelined
until Week 15. With longtime franchise cornerstone Grady Jarrett no longer in the picture, the
Falcons will need immediate production from the second-year defensive tackle out of Clemson.
They will face a plethora of talented running backs this season, including Bucky Irving and
Chubba Hubbard twice. They will also face James Cook, Christian McCaffery, De’Von Achane,
and Kyren Williams. Therefore, Atlanta’s run defense and interior defensive line will be tested
throughout the season. Consequently, it is imperative that Orhorhoro develops into a contributor
to the team’s front seven.
Michael Penix Jr., Quarterback
The Falcons sent shockwaves throughout the NFL when they drafted Penix with the eighth
overall pick in 2024, just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract
(with $100 million guaranteed). After Cousins’ benching in Week 16, Penix was immediately
thrown into the fire with the Falcons at 7-7 and still fighting for a playoff spot. Despite taking very
few reps in practice with the starters, Penix displayed flashes of why he was a Heisman Trophy
runner-up at the University of Washington and a top 10 pick in the draft. He showed a great deal
of poise in the pocket, along with a live arm and the ability to make throws in pivotal moments of
games, including a late game-tying touchdown pass on fourth and goal to Kyle Pitts against the
Washington Commanders and a 312-yard game in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Make no mistake: how far the Falcons go this season will depend largely on Penix’s success
and continued development. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and quarterback coach TJ
Yates have raved about the quarterback’s abilities and instincts. Safety Jordan Fuller, one of the
team’s free agent signings this past offseason, praised Penix’s ability to make “throws that not
too many people can make.” After spending the last three seasons in QB purgatory since the
departure of Matt Ryan, Penix has instilled hope within Atlanta’s fanbase. However, with hope
comes expectations, and the expectation is that Atlanta has found another long-term answer at
under center.
Kyle Pitts, Tight End
After becoming the second rookie tight end in NFL history to eclipse 1000 receiving yards in a
single season in 2021, it looked as if Pitts was on track to become one of the league’s next great
tight ends. However, since 2022, he has caught a combined 196 passes for 2651 yards and just
10 touchdowns. Fans and media personnel alike have attributed his lack of production to the
team’s constant turnover at the quarterback position the last three seasons (the Falcons have
started Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins, and now Michael Penix
Jr. since 2022). Others have also blamed former head coach Arthur Smith and current offensive
coordinator Zac Robinson for his lack of targets. However, it is worth noting that wide receiver
Drake London has played with the same set of quarterbacks and play callers and has cemented
himself as a top-10 receiver in football. Similarly, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers
caught 112 passes for nearly 1200 yards as a rookie with a quarterback room consisting of
Ridder, Gardner Minshew, and Aiden O’Connell. Last season, tracking data, Pitts notably ranked
41st out of 43 tight ends at getting open, posted a career-low 1.34 yards per route run, and was
75th in run blocking for tight ends. Those are not numbers any Falcons fan wants to see out of
the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. Moreover, clips of Pitts not finishing routes during
games have gone viral, catching the ire of Falcons fans and Atlanta media alike. Although some
expected the team to move on from Pitts this offseason, they are banking on his potential shown
at times throughout his tenure in Atlanta, such as his two-touchdown game at Tampa Bay.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, the 24-year-old is already at a crossroads in his NFL
career. Whether it be from the Falcons or another NFL team, if Pitts hopes to live up to his
pre-draft billing and receive a lucrative contract, it is pivotal that he produce at a consistent rate
this season.
