1. Bijan Robinson
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has more rushing yards than Atlanta's star running back this season. All three of Atlanta's wins have been completely on the shoulders of quarterback Kirk Cousins and kick Younghoe Koo.
Bijan Robinson was supposed to be the driving force of this Atlanta offense. Allowing the team to control the clock and establish the run game taking pressure off Kirk Cousins and allowing the offense to have a balanced attack. While there have been a handful of nice plays, more often than not it seems Robinson stumbles forward for a yard and falls at the line of scrimmage.
While you could blame the run blocking up front it is the same scheme and blockers that Tyler Allgeier seems to have zero problems creating consistent positive plays for. Robinson has been outplayed albeit in a smaller sample size by Allgeier.
If there was ever a get right week for the Atlanta starting back it is in Carolina after an extra three days of rest. You've made it past the toughest part of the schedule. This should be a game you take control of early and allow Robinson and Allgeier to go to work controlling the clock and putting the game away early.
2. Kaden Elliss
The change in the middle of Atlanta's defense without Nate Landman is shockingly drastic. Elliss hasn't played well and continued to struggle for the Falcons last week. When Troy Andersen is healthy again there is reason to wonder if we could see Elliss used more often as an edge rusher. With the struggles Elliss is having in the middle of the field changes aren't out of the question.
Andersen's last start was the best game of his young career and left reason to believe the Falcons could be better off with Landman, Andersen, and rookie JD Bertrand as their rotation. Use Kaden Elliss as an edge rusher and attempt to find a pass rusher within your roster.
Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebiketie have both been completely incapable of rushing the quarterback and left every reason to search for a replacement. Perhaps the transition isn't one Elliss can make and the backer will rebound in the middle of Atlanta's defense. However, looking at his career and early 2024 production there is every reason to consider making a change. Elliss needs to take a step forward against Carolina or it might be time to begin having these conversations.
3. Kaleb McGary
Can Kaleb McGary go one game without having a moment to appear completely lost on the football field? That is the low bar McGary has set for himself with the struggles he has displayed in pass protection. In complete fairness to McGary, the right tackle's last healthy start was the best of the past two seasons and gave reason to believe he could still be a long-term answer.
His return from injury against Tampa wasn't terrible but there was a complete whiff that simply can't happen with Kirk Cousins as your quarterback. A non-mobile quarterback coming off Achilles repair cannot have a tackle who once a game allows an edge rusher to get a full head of steam and offer no resistance.
That is going to end with Cousins injured and Penix having McGary guarding his blindside. McGary doesn't have to be perfect just less sloppy with his footwork putting himself in better positions to not consistently allow a free rusher. It doesn't help that Storm Norton has looked just as capable in relief of the tackle. Kaleb McGary can be moved away from at the end of the season turning up the pressure on the right tackle to find his 2022 form.
4. Matthew Judon
Perhaps this inclusion isn't fair to Judon and the consistent presence he has had for the Falcons. What would their defense look like without the one capable edge rusher? However, with Judon's ability and the complete lack of other options Atlanta is going to need Judon to make consistent big plays for their defense to get off the field.
It isn't fair but it is the position Atlanta has put themselves and Judon into. With Carolina's banged up offensive line and the struggles at quarterback this is a week Judon should have his first multi-sack game. After failing to make an impact in Tampa this is a bounce bounce-backback spot for a player who has been one of the most valuable additions of the offseason.
Whether it was setting up the pick-six of Derek Carr that won the Saints game or consistently creating pressure, Judon is Atlanta's only pass rush. Failing to make an impact as he did against the Bucs is understandable but cannot be accepted until the Falcons bring in more help. They are going to need Judon to be great every week and that wasn't the case against Tampa. Expect a big game from the Atlanta pass rusher.
