Arthur Smith entered his second season as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach with no real expectations, which is a red flag for a head coach in his second year. Luckily for Smith, outside of the spotlight and pretty much off the news map, no one really noticed the Falcons finishing with a losing record once again, thanks to some dismal offensive play, especially at quarterback from then starter Marcus Mariota.
In spite of that, the NFC South Championship, along with the automatic playoff bid that came with it, was attainable all the way up until Week 18. Needless to say, Smith still didn’t make it happen.
ATLANTA FALCONS
2022-23 Record: 7-10
Playoffs: N/A
Presumed Starters
QB: Desmond Ridder
RB: Bijan Robinson
WR: Drake London
WR: Mack Hollins
WR: Scotty Miller
TE: Kyle Pitts
LT: Jake Matthews
LG: Matthew Bergeron
C: Drew Dalman
RG: Chris Lindstrom
RT: Kaleb McGary
LDE: Calais Campbell
NT: David Onyemata
RDE: Gary Jarrett
WLB: Arnold Ebiketie
LILB: Troy Anderson
RILB: Kaden Elliss
SLB: Bud Dupree
LCB: AJ Terrell.
RCB: Jeff Okudah
SS: Richie Grant
FS: Jesse Baker III
K: Younghoe Koo
P: Bradley Pinion
PR: Mike Hughes
KR: Cordarrelle Patterson
2023 NFL Draft: Round 1: Round 1: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas, Round 2: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse, Round 3: Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State, Round 4: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah, Round 7: DeMarcco Hellams, Safety, Alabama, Round 7: Jovaughn Gwyn, OG, South Carolina
Players Gained: Jeff Okudah – CB (trade), Jessie Bates III, Safety (FA), David Onyemata – DT (FA), Kaleb McGary – RT (FA), Kaden Ellis – OLB (FA), Taylor Heinicke – QB (FA), Bradley Pinion – P (FA), Calais Campbell – DE (FA), Mike Hughes – CB (FA), Bud Dupree – OLB (FA), Mack Hollins – WR (FA), Keith Smith – FB (FA), Tre Flowers – CB (FA), Scotty Miller – WR (FA), Cornell Armstrong – CB (FA), Tae Davis – LB (FA), MyCole Pruitt – TE (FA), Khadarel Hodge – WR (FA), Justin Ellis – DT (FA), Joshua Miles – OT (FA), Breon Borders – CB (FA), Penny Hart – WR (FA), Joe Gaziano – DE (FA), Ethan Greenridge – OT (FA)
Players Lost: Isiah Oliver – CB, Marcus Mariota – QB, Abdullah Anderson – DE, Michael Ford – CB, Damiere Byrd – WR, Olamide Zaccheaus – WR, Elijah Wilkinson – OG, Rashad Fenton – CB, Chuma Edoga – OT, Nick Kwiatkoski – ILB, Germain Ifedi – RT, Jaleel Johnson – DT, Anthony Firkser – TE, Matt Dickerson – DE, Colby Gossett – OG, David Anenih – DE
Arizona Cardinals 2023 Odds
2023 NFC Championship Odds: +2800
Team Wins: Over 8.5 (-140), Under 8.5 (+110)
Atlanta is getting a lot of love heading into this year’s campaign. Presently Arthur Smith is the favorite to be named the Coach of the Year which I find a tad premature. Other than a handful of skill players, I don’t see a lot to like about this Falcons squad and instead of “Coach of the Year,” I think Smith has a much better chance at being the first head coach fired.
2023-23 Win Prediction: 6-11
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