Falcons’ offensive trio ranked top 10 in NFL by ESPN

The Atlanta Falcons have numerous question marks on their roster as they prepare for the start of training camp later this month. While the team has many new faces to implement, most of them are on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, the Falcons are still reaping the rewards of having four consecutive top-10 draft picks.

The team drafted tight end Kyle Pitts in 2021, wide receiver Drake London in 2022, running back Bijan Robinson in 2023, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in 2024. All four players will enter the 2025 NFL season as starters on offense.

Robinson and London have been home-run selections, both finishing in the top five at their respective positions last season. Pitts impressed as a rookie but hasn’t performed at the same level in the three ensuing seasons. The jury is still out on Penix, who made just three starts in 2024.

With an elite offensive line and impressive weapons, the young quarterback is set up for success this year. But where do the Falcons’ trio of offensive playmakers rank entering the 2025 NFL season?

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked each team’s offensive skill position groups — running back, wide receiver and tight end — and the Falcons came in at No. 9 on the list:

ESPN on Drake London:

Finally freed of coach Arthur Smith, 2022 No. 8 pick Drake London was installed as the primary receiver in a pass-friendly offense and lived up to expectations; his 2.4 yards per route run ranked 11th in the league among qualifying receivers. Darnell Mooney, also shifting from a dismal passing attack to what was a competent one for most of the season, ranked 29th by the same metric, settling in as a high-end second wideout. — Barnwell

London was clearly hindered by the team’s incompetence at quarterback in the post-Matt Ryan era. With more consistent quarterback play last season, London finished fourth in the NFL with 1,271 receiving yards in his third season. The former USC star appeared to take off once Penix entered the lineup late in the year.

ESPN on Bijan Robinson:

After fumbling four times as a rookie, he fumbled just once on 365 touches last season, another positive step. The one thing that’s missing is big plays: Robinson didn’t have a single gain of more than 40 yards last season, which seems impossible for a player who had five of those in his final college season. We should see more of them in 2025. — Barnwell

While Barnwell praised Robinson, he still doesn’t think the running back has lived up to the hype. However, those in Atlanta would likely disagree. Robinson finished third in rushing yards during a historic year for running backs. He might be the most complete back in the league as he enters his third season.

ESPN on Kyle Pitts:

Kyle Pitts, the No. 4 pick in 2021, has fallen out of favor in Atlanta, owing both to concerns about his work as a blocker and his lack of impact as a receiver. It’s fine to be a mediocre blocker if a player is racking up 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, as Pitts did during his fine rookie season in 2021. When he’s topping out around 600 receiving yards a year and ranks 22nd in yards per route run among qualifying tight ends, the organization isn’t going to be desperate to find him playing time. — Barnwell

Pitts has certainly fallen out of favor since that impressive rookie campaign, but he’s still a serviceable starter. The former No. 4 pick has dealt with poor quarterback play a serious knee injury during his sophomore season. If Pitts wants to cash in during free agency, he needs to produce this season.

– Check out our latest Falcons 53-man roster projection as the team prepares for the start of training camp