As training camp approaches in Flowery Branch, the Falcons are once again carrying the kind of expectations that make August feel a little heavier in Atlanta. The club is projected to finish tied for first in the NFC South, but that kind of optimism has not exactly matched the reality for a fan base that has spent eight straight seasons watching the team fall short of a playoff trip. The last few years have been especially frustrating, with eight wins or fewer, and that is not nearly enough for a city that wants more now.
One of the biggest questions is who settles in as the No. 2 receiver behind Drake London. Jahan Dotson is in the mix, and rookie Zachariah Branch is expected to get plenty of chances as well.
Dotson looks like the leading candidate at the moment. He has averaged 12.6 yards per catch in 42 starts and scored 7 touchdowns as a rookie in 2022.
Atlanta may still need another wideout who can step in and help right away.
Branch, though, could be more than just a depth piece. He may turn into a useful slot option if the Falcons find ways to move him around and get the ball in space.
Bubble screens and reverse plays could be part of that plan, giving him chances to create offense on his own. His route tree still needs work, but he is a rookie, and the expectation is that he will improve as the season goes on.
How often he actually touches the ball is still an open question.
The other area worth watching is the defensive front, where Atlanta has spent the offseason trying to add size. That remains a clear priority because the Falcons need more help up front to support the rest of the defense.
The unit took a step forward last season, and the challenge now is to keep that progress going. The younger players are more athletic, but training camp should start sorting out who is ready to play.
In Other News...
NFL Voice Just Validated What Falcons Fans Hoped About Xavier Watts
Xavier Watts gave the Falcons exactly the kind of early return teams hope for when they use a premium pick on the secondary. After earning a starting role, the safety quickly looked like more than just a developmental piece, and his ball production stood out in a rookie class that included plenty of defensive talent. For a team that has spent years trying to stabilize the back end, Watts emergence offered a real sign that the draft could still be a path to building something lasting.
Watts also fits neatly next to Jessie Bates III, which is part of why Atlantas secondary suddenly feels more interesting than it did a year ago. The Falcons added Avieon Terrell in the 2026 draft as another young defensive back who could push for snaps, so there is still competition ahead and more to sort out in that room. Even with Terry Fontenot no longer running the front office, the early signs on Watts are hard to ignore, and they leave Atlanta with at least one foundational piece worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Have A New NFC South Problem To Worry About
The Panthers found a real difference-maker in Tetairoa McMillan, and the Falcons got an early look at just how quickly he can tilt a game. Drafted eighth overall in 2025, McMillan wasted little time validating the pick, finishing his rookie season with 70 catches, 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns while earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
For Atlanta, the bigger concern is that McMillan already looks like the kind of young receiver who can become a division problem for years. Carolina has reason to believe his best football is still ahead of him, which means the Falcons may be dealing with more than one difficult matchup every season if his development keeps moving in the same direction. [Read more 🡒]
Outside Ranking Just Put Falcons Young Core Under A Harsh Spotlight
ESPNs Bill Barnwell took a hard look at the Falcons roster through a trade-value lens, and the exercise offered a revealing snapshot of how the league might view Atlantas young core. Bijan Robinson and Drake London came out as the clubs most valuable pieces in that framework, while Jalon Walker landed in the next tier and several other familiar names were close enough to keep the conversation going.
The more interesting part for Atlanta is how thin the margin can be between premium value and just missing it. Barnwell pointed to Chris Lindstrom and Michael Penix as examples of players whose cases come with clear caveats, but the list also included Kyle Pitts, James Pearce and A.J. Terrell, leaving the Falcons with a few notable names hovering near that first-round line and a couple of unanswered questions about why they fell just short. [Read more 🡒]