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A week from Wednesday the Atlanta Falcons will hold their first training camp practice ahead of the 2026 NFL season. This represents the start of a new chapter for the organization, which is being led by a new front office regime led by former starting quarterback Matt Ryan.
Speaking of quarterbacks, the biggest storyline to follow at Flowery Branch over the coming weeks will be the competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix for the right to start Week 1 in Pittsburgh.
Let's break down that battle and three others that will be worth keeping an eye on at training camp.
As Penix has been recovering from a torn ACL in November, Tagovailoa has taken all the 11-on-11 reps for the Falcons so far this offseason. That gives him a head start in this competition, and his superior accuracy and better fit for head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense may be enough to win him the job. However, Tua's arm power pales in comparison to Penix, who can drive the ball faster and further down the field. Even if Tagovailoa winds up starting Week 1, it doesn't necessarily mean the job will be his for the rest of the season.
Atlanta has a top-10 wide receiver in Drake London, but otherwise one of the thinnest wide receiver rooms around the NFL. That means the WR2 role is up for grabs for anyone who can prove theyr'e worth the targets. Former Eagles first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson is the most-logical option, but he's yet to impress at this level since a promising rookie season. Zaccheaus has the edge in experience, with 105 career games under his belt. The rookie Branch has the most speed and playmaking ability in space. This one is truly a wide open competition.
The Falcons have a very strong defensive backfield, but veteran corner Mike Hughes is arguably the weakest link. Last season, Hughes gave up a career-high 531 yards, five touchdowns and a 97.6 passer rating in coverage. For his efforts PFF gave him a 59.8 coverage grade, ranking 67th at his position. To keep his place in the starting lineup, Hughes will have to fend off Atlanta's top draft pick this year, A.J. Terrell's little brother Avieon out of Clemson. While undersized for a pro boundary corner, Terrell comes with a fight-in-the-dog kind of style and superior ball skills.
Divine Deablo has taken over Kaden Elliss' former role as the green dot wearer on defense, but the other linebacker spot is still unsettled. Free agent pickup Christian Harris is the most obvious candidate to start opposite Deablo, but he will have competition from fourth-round pick Kendal Daniels. Harris has only started four games over the last two seasons, and has yet to live up to the potential he showed as a rookie in Houston. If Daniels can get healthy and outshine Harris at camp, he may end up with the starting gig. We also wouldn't rule out Troy Andersen, a former second-round pick who's been hindered by injuries over the last few seasons.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 4 position battles to watch at Falcons training camp
Continue reading...
Speaking of quarterbacks, the biggest storyline to follow at Flowery Branch over the coming weeks will be the competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix for the right to start Week 1 in Pittsburgh.
Let's break down that battle and three others that will be worth keeping an eye on at training camp.
QB1: Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix
As Penix has been recovering from a torn ACL in November, Tagovailoa has taken all the 11-on-11 reps for the Falcons so far this offseason. That gives him a head start in this competition, and his superior accuracy and better fit for head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense may be enough to win him the job. However, Tua's arm power pales in comparison to Penix, who can drive the ball faster and further down the field. Even if Tagovailoa winds up starting Week 1, it doesn't necessarily mean the job will be his for the rest of the season.
WR2: Jahan Dotson vs. Olamide Zaccheaus vs. Zachariah Branch
Atlanta has a top-10 wide receiver in Drake London, but otherwise one of the thinnest wide receiver rooms around the NFL. That means the WR2 role is up for grabs for anyone who can prove theyr'e worth the targets. Former Eagles first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson is the most-logical option, but he's yet to impress at this level since a promising rookie season. Zaccheaus has the edge in experience, with 105 career games under his belt. The rookie Branch has the most speed and playmaking ability in space. This one is truly a wide open competition.
LCB: Mike Hughes vs. Avieon Terrell
The Falcons have a very strong defensive backfield, but veteran corner Mike Hughes is arguably the weakest link. Last season, Hughes gave up a career-high 531 yards, five touchdowns and a 97.6 passer rating in coverage. For his efforts PFF gave him a 59.8 coverage grade, ranking 67th at his position. To keep his place in the starting lineup, Hughes will have to fend off Atlanta's top draft pick this year, A.J. Terrell's little brother Avieon out of Clemson. While undersized for a pro boundary corner, Terrell comes with a fight-in-the-dog kind of style and superior ball skills.
ILB: Christian Harris vs. Kendal Daniels
Divine Deablo has taken over Kaden Elliss' former role as the green dot wearer on defense, but the other linebacker spot is still unsettled. Free agent pickup Christian Harris is the most obvious candidate to start opposite Deablo, but he will have competition from fourth-round pick Kendal Daniels. Harris has only started four games over the last two seasons, and has yet to live up to the potential he showed as a rookie in Houston. If Daniels can get healthy and outshine Harris at camp, he may end up with the starting gig. We also wouldn't rule out Troy Andersen, a former second-round pick who's been hindered by injuries over the last few seasons.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 4 position battles to watch at Falcons training camp
Continue reading...
