The Atlanta Falcons have already made some major changes to their roster and we’re still weeks away from the 2022 NFL draft.
Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan was shipped to Indianapolis and the team signed Marcus Mariota as a replacement. Linebacker Foye Oluokun and wide receiver Russell Gage left in free agency, but the Falcons did re-sign running back Cordarrelle Patterson and added free-agent cornerback Casey Hayward.
Here’s our projection of Atlanta’s starting lineups on offense, defense and special teams after the first wave of free agency.
QB: Marcus Mariota
(AP Foto/John Bazemore)
Marcus Mariota signed a two-year deal shortly after the team traded Matt Ryan to the Colts. Even if the Falcons add a quarterback in the draft, which I expect them to, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Mariota isn’t under center in Week 1.
RB: Cordarrelle Patterson
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
The Falcons re-signed their top offensive weapon from 2021 to a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Patterson will…