Falcons QB says team has the makings of ‘explosive’ offense

Desmond Ridder. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Ridder: Falcons have the makings of ‘explosive’ offense

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 5/22/23

The Atlanta Falcons already had a quartet of solid offensive playmakers in running back Tyler Allgeier, running back/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.

But after drafting Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick last month, trading for tight end Jonnu Smith and signing free agent receiver Mack Hollins, second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder believes the group could be even more dangerous in 2023.

“As an offense, you look for explosive plays and you get them any way that you can,” Ridder said Monday on “Good Morning Football. “…When they drafted Bijan, I just knew that this offense has something to be explosive. We're able to go out there, and whether it's the run game, pass game, play-action — doesn't matter. We think that we're going to be pretty explosive."

.@AtlantaFalcons HC Arthur Smith on what Bijan Robinson's versatility will bring to the Falcons offense. pic.twitter.com/5ndTNyPvgf
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) May 16, 2023

If there was one thing missing from Atlanta’s offense in 2022, it was consistent big-play potential. The Falcons ranked seventh in explosive run plays (a gain of 20 or more yards, per Pro Football Focus) but 30th in explosive passing plays. In fact, they tied for the sixth-fewest pass plays of 40 or more yards with five.

Adding Hollins and Smith, who combined for 12 receptions of 20 yards or more last season, with London (10) and Pitts (five), who are the only returning pass catchers with at least five such receptions last year, is a good start. Ridder averaged just 7.8 intended air yards (the average length a pass travels whether completed or not) per pass last year, which ranks in the middle of the league.

Atlanta’s running game was the strength of the team last year with Allgeier and Patterson combining for 11 touchdowns and 1,730 yards rushing, including 10 rushes of 20 or more yards. Adding Robinson, who ranked sixth in the NCAA in rushing yards (1,580), makes the Falcons even more dynamic.

Robinson was tied for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns (18) and 100-yard games (nine) in the FBS last season, and he had more than 20 runs of 20 or more yards in three seasons at Texas.

This SNAG by Bijan Robinson

The Falcons reportedly plan to use Robinson at WR, as well as at RB.

The Falcons rookie RB is an all-around WEAPON. pic.twitter.com/BrkRivvnRU
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 14, 2023