2023 was supposed to be the year that the Atlanta Falcons returned to the playoffs and took that next step to become a relevant NFL franchise again. While they were technically in the playoff hunt until their final game, that was in large part due to the mediocrity of the NFC South.
At no point during the season were the Falcons a truly competitive team. Atlanta wasted no time in firing head coach Arthur Smith following Sunday’s 48-17 loss to New Orleans. As we look back on the 2023 campaign, several players stood out — for both good and bad reasons.
Stud: Jessie Bates
There’s no argument who the best player on the team was this year. Jessie Bates ended his first season in Atlanta with a career-high six interceptions (second-most in the NFL). The former Bengals safety signed a four-year, $64 million with the Falcons and quickly proved worthy of every penny. Bates single-handedly kept the team in games this season, and he should make this Atlanta roster that much more appealing to whoever takes over as head coach.
Dud: Arthur Smith
Arthur Smith didn’t survive the night after the Falcons got thumped by the Saints to cap off a disappointing season. A win likely wouldn’t have changed much for Smith because the Buccaneers defeated the Panthers to lock up the division. After finishing 7-10 for three straight years, even someone as loyal as Arthur Blank could see a change was needed. It’s rare for a coach to be given a fourth year when they fail to produce a winning season in the first three.
Stud: Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell was a winning addition to the Falcons this past offseason. While he says he doesn’t want to hang up his cleats just yet, Campbell is a free agent and could opt to sign with a contender. The 37-year-old was a consistent force up front, ending the season with seven sacks, one forced fumble, and 36 total tackles. If he’s interested in returning, the Falcons could use him in 2024.
Dud: The entire quarterback room
Poor play at the quarterback position was easily the biggest thing holding this team back in 2023. Second-year QB Desmond Ridder was inconsistent and wreckless with the football. Taylor Heinicke wasn’t any better and it was clear early on that the team may have a serious problem. Arthur Smith’s constant shuffling didn’t help the situation, but it was a mistake not to go into the year with a more established player at the QB position.
Stud: Drake London
London made some incredible plays this season, even when the quarterback play was ineffective. Of course, he’s not without his flaws, but London would have certainly put up better numbers with a competent QB. The second-year receiver finished the 2023 season with 69 catches for 903 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Look for London to have an even bigger year in 2024, assuming the team upgrades at quarterback
Dud: Kyle Pitts*
Pitts may be a great player but he hasn’t looked like one over the past two seasons. His production wasn’t terrible this year — 53 catches, 667 yards and three touchdowns — but it’s not what you would expect when you take a player at No. 4 overall. I put an asterisk because Pitts may have been more injured than he let on. He posted on his Instagram that he was happy to play in all 17 games after surgery to repair his MCL and PCL. Either way, Pitts needs to get back on track in 2024.
Stud: Bijan Robinson
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft lived up to the hype, setting a new team record for all-purpose yards by a rookie. Robinson did have some issues with ball security, but his effectiveness out of the backfield was unstoppable at times. The rookie rushed for 971 yards and added another 407 receiving yards on 58 catches. Robinson also added eight touchdowns for the Falcons this season.
Dud: Richie Grant
Selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, Grant never seemed to find his footing on this Falcons defense. The former UCF standout struggled to see the field much during his rookie year before earning a starting role in 2022. Throughout his young career, Grant has been a liability in pass coverage and a decent run defender. After a promising 2022 campaign, Grant regressed in 2023. Ideally, you want to allow young players the time they need to develop, but the modern NFL doesn’t afford teams with this luxury — especially bad teams.
