The Atlanta Falcons may have plenty of talent on the roster, but ESPN isn’t buying the full picture heading into the 2026 NFL season.
In ESPN’s ranking of all 32 teams based on projected starting lineups, Atlanta came in tied for No. 29 with the Arizona Cardinals. That’s a harsh spot for a team that can point to real firepower at several spots, especially on offense and across a defense that has started to come together.
The biggest reason for the low placement is the same problem that keeps hanging over Atlanta: quarterback. ESPN’s Mike Clay didn’t mince words about the situation.
"The eighth pick in 2024, Penix has yet to emerge as a capable starter, totaling 14 touchdown passes in 14 games while struggling with accuracy," wrote ESPN's Mike Clay. "He tore his left ACL in Week 11 last season and now has added competition in Tagovailoa. The former Dolphin has flashed at times during his career, but Miami took on a record $99 million in dead money to move on from him after a disappointing 2025 season."
That uncertainty at the most important position in football is dragging down how the Falcons are viewed, even with a roster that has some obvious strengths. Atlanta’s skill group is still the headliner, with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts giving the team one of the more impressive trios in the league. All three were top-10 picks, and all three have already built notable resumes in their young careers.
The defense has its own rising names, too. James Pearce Jr. and Xavier Watts were Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists last season, and defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus turned heads with 8.5 sacks.
Veterans Divine Deablo, A.J. Terrell and Jessie Bates add more credibility to a unit that ESPN sees as trending upward.
Even with all of that, the quarterback issue remains the anchor. That’s why a roster with plenty of talent still ended up near the bottom of ESPN’s list.
If there was one bright spot in the ranking, it came at running back. ESPN called that Atlanta’s strongest position group, with Bijan Robinson earning praise for his production and Brian Robinson Jr. labeled a useful addition behind him.
"He has finished no lower than fifth among backs in carries, rushing yards, catches, touches and scrimmage yards during each of the past two seasons, and scored 10-plus touchdowns in both," wrote Clay. "Robinson is one of the league's top offensive playmakers, and newcomer Brian Robinson Jr. is a solid backup."
Only the Cleveland Browns at No. 31 and the Miami Dolphins at No. 32 were ranked below Atlanta. Those two teams also happen to be tied to names that now sit in the Falcons’ orbit, with former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leading the way for Atlanta this season.
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Michael Penix Jr. Just Exposed A Falcons Problem Fans Feared
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That matters because Penixs early production under the previous setup never quite settled in, with his completion rate sitting below 60 percent during that stretch. Now the Falcons are asking him to sharpen the details that can make a young quarterback steadier from snap to snap, and that work comes with real stakes as he continues competing for the starting job. [Read more 🡒]
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