The Atlanta Falcons have formally entered the second half of the NFL season, holding a 4-6 document that is ok to place them firmly within the race for the NFC South title.

With a strong portion of the season within the rearview mirror, Atlanta’s strengths and weaknesses are starting to take form, and with many trying ahead to an offseason headlined by important cap house, concepts of potential acquisitions have been thrown round.

However Falcons normal supervisor Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith have been steadfast of their perception of making an attempt to construct issues “the proper method,” with scouting and participant improvement on the forefront.

Whereas the 2023 NFL Draft remains to be over 5 months away, postseason all-star occasions just like the Reese’s Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Sport are already sending out invitations with their video games simply two and a half months out.

As such, nationwide eyes are starting to shift in the direction of the draft – and despite the fact that the Falcons nonetheless have all of it to play for, it is evident that the roster is in want of great revamps.

Which positions are in want of upgrades? That are alright? That are someplace within the center? Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Atlanta’s wants.

Particular Wants

Proper Deal with

The Falcons declined Kaleb McGary’s fifth-year possibility this previous offseason, and whereas the 27-year-old has performed arguably the very best ball of his profession, a reunion between the 2 sides appears unlikely. Even then, McGary’s largely performed at replacement-level, and with the Falcons searching for to create a secure surroundings for a younger passer, stability on the skin will probably be vital transferring ahead.

Cornerback

With A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward out with accidents, the Falcons’ lack of depth at nook has been uncovered. Dee Alford has flashed when given the possibility, however Atlanta’s largely rolled with Darren Corridor, Cornell Armstrong and just lately acquired Rashad Fenton. Every has impressed in spurts, however with Hayward’s contract expiring after subsequent season, none have confirmed to be long-term options alongside Terrell.

Nickelback Isaiah Oliver is regular, however he is on a one-year contract and will see an elevated market this spring. There is a want for each beginning expertise and depth each inside and outside, making nook a very vital want.

Left Guard

Atlanta has acquired strong play from incumbent Elijah Wilkinson, however like McGary, his contract expires on the finish of the season. It is easy to see the 2 having mutual curiosity in a return, however Wilkinson hasn’t essentially performed at a degree too good to go up on. With Jalen Mayfield largely out of the combo on final 12 months’s sixth-round decide Justin Shaffer on the apply squad, there is not any house run long-term reply on the roster, and limiting strain up the center is significant.

Defensive Line

Grady Jarrett and Ta’Quon Graham give the Falcons two constructing blocks inside, however after them, there’s a whole lot of query marks. Undrafted rookie Timmy Horne has gained an even bigger function at nostril sort out, whereas veteran journeymen Abdullah Anderson, Matt Dickerson and Jalen Dalton have seen run with the second group.

With the frequency of rotations amongst NFL defensive strains, having depth is vital – and the Falcons haven’t got an excessive amount of it behind Jarrett and Graham.

Receiver

Atlanta’s in a fantastic spot with rookie first-round decide Drake London, and receiver should not be a premium goal – however there is a clear want for a No. 2 receiver alongside final 12 months’s eighth total decide. Tight finish Kyle Pitts has been utilized extra as his place title suggests than a pure complimentary wideout, and offseason commerce acquisition Bryan Edwards hasn’t lived out to expectations.

Olamide Zaccheaus has been a dependable contributor and veterans Damiere Byrd and KhaDarel Hodge have offered sparks, however most prime offenses across the league have a transparent prime two wideouts – Pitts can actually fall into that class, however including a real No. 2 wideout solely makes the offense all of the extra harmful.

‘Wait & See’ Wants

Quarterback

Veteran Marcus Mariota has struggled to encourage confidence that he might be the short- or long-term reply, leaving third-round rookie Desmond Ridder a chance to show he might be the man. It is doable that Ridder will get his likelihood quickly, and he’ll basically be given a job interview to make his case. If he struggles, it is as much as Fontenot’s judgement relating to whether or not the Falcons will add one other face to the room.

Outdoors Linebacker

Atlanta chosen Arnold Ebiketie within the second-round and DeAngelo Malone within the third final 12 months, placing important capital into enhancing the go rush. To date, Ebiketie’s proven indicators of being an answer, whereas Malone hasn’t been given a lot of a chance. Second-year professional Ade Ogundeji has established himself as a dependable run defender who’s nonetheless creating as a go rusher, whereas free agent acquisition Lorenzo Carter has been strong albeit unspectacular in each classes.

The event of Ebiketie, Malone and Ogundeji will finally determine whether or not the Falcons really feel the necessity to spend one other top-100 decide on the place, however as issues stand, Atlanta merely wants a bit bit extra juice off the sting.

Security

Smith and defensive coordinator Dean Pees are happy with what they’ve gotten out of Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins, each first-year starters. Grant seems to be like he can begin for years to come back, however Hawkins has but to place a agency deal with on his gig; he’ll get an opportunity to place all doubts to relaxation within the remaining seven video games of this 12 months.

Regardless, the one different security at the moment below contract for subsequent 12 months is Jovante Moffatt, who was simply signed from the apply squad every week in the past. Whether or not or not it’s depth or a starting-caliber participant, the Falcons want so as to add our bodies to the again finish of their protection, and the draft could also be the very best place to do precisely that.

Middle

Atlanta’s earlier regime spent a third-round decide on Matt Hennessy in 2020 and the brand new regime used a fourth on Drew Dalman. The latter has began each sport this season and turned in combine outcomes, whereas the previous began one contest at left guard and carried out equally earlier than getting damage and being positioned on injured reserve.

In the course of the offseason, Smith pressured the significance of the middle place, significantly for younger quarterbacks, and whereas Dalman has actually had his moments, he hasn’t put a strangle maintain on the spot transferring ahead.

Positions of Least Concern

Left Deal with

Jake Matthews acquired a three-year contract extension this previous offseason and is a valued presence each on the sphere and within the locker room. Including a swing sort out may very well be a necessity as neither Germain Ifedi nor Chuma Edoga are set to return for subsequent 12 months, however the Falcons have few worries about Matthews.

Proper Guard

Chris Lindstrom has emerged as one of many NFL’s premiere proper guards, and whereas a brand new contract must be a prime precedence, he is set to be a constructing block up entrance for years to come back.

Operating Again

The Falcons have enormously benefitted from Cordarrelle Patterson’s late-career breakout, and he is below contract via the 2023 season. Whereas sturdiness has been a priority for the 31-year-old Patterson, rookie Tyler Allgeier and second-year professional Caleb Huntley proved they might maintain the speeding offense afloat in his absence.

Tight Finish

Assuming Atlanta picks up his fifth-year possibility, Pitts will probably be below contract for 3 extra years, serving as one of many place’s most enjoyable younger abilities. There is a want for a No. 2 tight finish behind him and a stout blocking presence, however Smith and Fontenot have largely opted to fill these with low-profile veterans reminiscent of Anthony Firkser, MyCole Pruitt and Parker Hesse.

Inside Linebacker

The Falcons like what they’ve in Rashaan Evans and Mykal Walker; Smith and Pees have reiterated that again and again courting again to coaching camp. Whereas Evans is on a one-year contract, Walker is about to be again subsequent 12 months – as is rookie second-round decide Troy Andersen. By rotating linebackers in Thursday evening’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta proved that Andersen can play alongside each Evans and Walker, permitting his particular person versatility relating to alignment to shine via.

Evans has performed the very best ball of his profession below Pees, courting again to their time with the Tennessee Titans. Whereas it is unclear if he’ll be again within the fold subsequent 12 months, it is simple to see the 2 sides having mutual curiosity. Even when he does not return, the Falcons are assured in each Walker and Andersen.

In the end, issues can – and virtually actually will – change because the season progresses and free company takes place, however as issues stand, the Falcons have distinctly outlined strengths and weaknesses. With cap house and draft capital besides, it is as much as Smith and Fontenot to take benefit and maintain the roster trending in the proper course.

However for now, the Falcons have their eyes on profitable the division, a battle that restarts subsequent Sunday in opposition to the Chicago Bears inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

You’ll be able to comply with Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

Get your HOTlanta Falcons sport tickets from SI Tickets … right here!

Need the newest in breaking information and insider data on the Falcons? Click on Right here.

Observe Falcon Report on Twitter.