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Ranking the 7 players with most to prove in 2022

Ranking the 7 players with most to prove in 2022

Whether or not you supported the Atlanta Falcons’ decision to move on from Matt Ryan, the trade provided long-term relief from the cap constraints that have held back this roster for years.

In the short term, the Falcons are clearly in transition with at least 10 new starters entering the fold. The 2022 season will be challenging for Atlanta, but it’s also an opportunity for this team to re-establish its identity.

We’ve ranked the seven players with the most to prove this year.

OLB Arnold Ebiketie

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Finding that next star pass-rusher in Atlanta has been harder than tackling Michael Vick in his prime, but the team took another swing at it by trading up for Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie in the second round. The rookie should see plenty of playing time and has a chance to start this season. After letting free agents Dante Fowler and Steven Means walk, Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter and Ade Ogundeji are set to battle it out for the two starting OLB spots. Can Ebiketie finally be the player to make fans forget about Takk McKinley, Vic Beasley and the many other pass-rushing ghosts of Falcons past?

OL Jalen Mayfield

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Mayfield was thrown to the wolves as a rookie and definitely took his lumps. The third-round pick out of Michigan must improve in pass protection — the area where he struggled most in 2021. Mayfield did show some promise as a run-blocker as the season went along. Since Atlanta added very little competition at the left guard spot, the job appears to be Mayfield’s to lose for the time being. However, if he doesn’t show progress this season, the Falcons will have the money to upgrade the position in free agency in 2023.

DL Marlon Davidson

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Marlon Davidson, the former second-round pick out of Auburn, has yet to really make an impact during his first two seasons in…

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