Atlanta Falcons season preview 2014: wide receivers, tight ends
The 2014 NFL season is almost here, and it is time to preview this season’s edition of the Atlanta Falcons. In part five, we took an in-depth look at the team’s offensive line. If you missed it, be sure to check out our defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and special teams previews. Today in part six, we look at the wide receiver and tight end positions.
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We’ve taken a look at quite a few different position groups throughout our Atlanta Falcons preview series, but today we look at one of the more interesting groups: the wide receivers and tight ends. Naturally, these positions are more exciting than talking about the lines, but there are still some things that could cause some concern–even with a few elite players in the mix.
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Wide Receiver
Geraldo Boldewijn, Harry Douglas, Jeremy Ebert, Devin Hester, Julio Jones, Freddie Martino, Bernard Reedy, Courtney Roby, Eric Weems, Roddy White
While this list might look pretty big, the depth at wide receiver has been a real concern for the Falcons for some time, and that helped in prompting the signing of Eric Weems just a few days ago.
The real studs of this group are obviously Julio Jones, Roddy White and Harry Douglas. Much of the success that the team has this year will depend on how healthy the first two players are, and whether or not Douglas can have another year as strong as 2013.
With Jones and White out for a good amount of time, Douglas reached passed the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the first time in his career after 85 receptions and 133 targets.
Added in the mix are Weems and Devin Hester, who are both explosive runners and can occasionally make a big play… but hopefully they won’t see too much regular time on the field with Matt Ryan.
The Falcoholic predicts this group will be cut down to Jones, White, Douglas, Hester, Weems and rookie Bernard Reedy.
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Tight End
Bear Pascoe, Jacob Pederson, Mickey Shuler, Levine Toilolo
Tight end could be an even more interesting position group because of the transition that is currently in the works. If you didn’t know, the legendary Tony Gonzalez retired after last season and his presence is going to be almost impossible to replace.
Last season, Gonzalez was targeted 119 times and hauled in 83 passes while averaging 10.3 yards per catch. He picked up 859 yards and was one of Matt Ryan’s favorite targets in the end zone, connecting with him for touchdowns eight times.
Toilolo has still been leaning on Gonzalez’s help even with him gone, but he’ll likely get every opportunity to become “the guy” at the position. Last year, Toilolo’s role was minimal. He had 11 receptions for 55 yards and a pair of touchdowns while playing in all 16 games.
Five-year veteran Bear Pascoe is likely the other guy who’ll get a few reps and provide a safety net if Toilolo completely flops. Last year with the Giants he played in all 16 games, but wasn’t incorporated much in the passing game with just 12 receptions for 81 yards and no scores.
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As a whole, the talent level of the WR/TE position groups is probably worse than last season, but that should probably be expected when a player of Tony Gonzelez’s caliber leaves. However, this unit could also be much better simply because of health.
Julio Jones looked great in the exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans, connecting with Matt Ryan for a 52-yard touchdown in the second quarter. If he’s on the field and healthy he’s one of the top receivers in the league and a game-changer for the entire offense.
Still, players like White, Toilolo and Douglas will be relied upon to make sure the passing game is more than just throwing fades to Jones and Hester and hoping for the best. There’s real talent here, and while the unit doesn’t have the wow factor that it did coming into 2013, it has the potential to be one of the better groups in the league.