Expectations are the highest they have been in quite some time for the Atlanta Falcons. The team is largely considered division favorites and perhaps capable of a win in the wildcard round. This would be great progress and is the team’s ceiling for the 2024 season.
With great offensive talent and huge defensive questions, the ceiling is clear. Making the playoffs for the first time since 2017 should be considered exciting progress. While it is far from the team’s first championship the fanbase is starved for it is a step in that direction.
With this in mind, it is fun to consider what pieces from Atlanta’s recent history would make this team a true Super Bowl contender. Looking only at modern Atlanta Falcons rosters which four pieces could you pick up and drop onto this roster to turn them into an NFC contender?
This hypothetical is looking at who these players were in their prime and considering their fit within this roster. It is a difficult exercise to consider when looking back at Atlanta’s recent history and considering the myriad of defensive questions. Perhaps their best path forward would be creating an offense that was completely unstoppable starting with the best weapon in Atlanta history.
1. Julio Jones
Imagine an opposing defense lining up to face a lineup of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Julio Jones. Put Darnell Mooney in the slot and an already stacked group of weapons becomes unstoppable. It is fun to imagine what Jones could have been with this much talent around him.
What Julio has become makes it easy to forget the monster he was in Atlanta for so long. Having the combination of size and speed Jones did with elite body control made it seem as if he were a created player dropped from Madden.
Jones and London working on the outside with Mooney and Pitts at slot and tight end positions would make Kirk Cousins an MVP. An easy way to cover up for a lack of defensive talent is to add to an already good offense the best weapon in Atlanta’s history.
Prime Julio Jones makes Atlanta an NFC contender all by himself. His talent and impact on the offense were that high when he was healthy. What NFC team outside of the 49ers would have a chance of slowing this group down? Drop Jones into this offense and Atlanta is already an NFC contender.
2. John Abraham
Aside from Atlanta’s obvious desperation for a pass rusher consider how fun it would be to see Grady Jarrett and Abraham on the same defensive line. The two players both represented Atlanta well and often fought an uphill battle on defenses that were undertalented.
Drop Abraham on this defense and how many of the concerns are answered? Yes, you still have a bit of concern in the secondary, however, Abraham covers a lot of that. The former Falcon not only solves your outside pass rush issues but in doing so makes Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata far better.
So often over the last seasons, teams focus their attention on the inside of Atlanta’s defensive line. They understood there wasn’t a threat on the outside and could allow the focus of the protection on Atlanta’s best inside players. Abraham changes this and solves the Falcons’ biggest remaining issue.
The veteran finished his career with 133.5 sacks last playing for Atlanta in the 2012 season. He was Atlanta’s last truly stable and consistent presence on the outside. Even in his later seasons, the pass rusher remained a consistent and capable threat. Abraham would be life-changing for an Atlanta defense looking at pass rush by committee.
3. Alex Mack
This may not be a popular selection, however, Mack’s leadership and stability were vital in his time in Atlanta. Yes, Drew Dalman is a good starter and a solid contributor, but no reasonable fan will compare the two.
With only four selections fixing the defense completely isn’t going to be an option. Solidifying the offense as unstoppable makes the Falcons an NFC contender and gives an excuse to look back and an underrated piece of their last success.
Mack offers stability and an elite ability that locks this offensive line in as the best unit in the conference. With the retirement of Jason Kelce, it is easy to argue Mack makes this group the deepest and consistent. Kirk Cousins first season in Atlanta will be far easier with Mack helping the veteran make the transition.
The former Falcon is a future Hall of Famer and is deserving of so much respect considering the injury he played through in Atlanta’s last chance at a title. The Falcons added Mack and within a season were playing for a Super Bowl. With all the other pieces in place, Mack proved to be the missing stability and leadership needed and that would be the case here.
4. Desmond Trufant
As tempting as it might be to select Tony Gonzalez or Roddy White here there are only so many targets to go around. Looking only at the recent history of the Falcons there aren’t many pieces that could step in and fix the secondary.
However, if we are getting the best of Desmond Trufant there is no better option to pair with A.J. Terrell. The corner position is one of the most difficult, one missed step and an entire game’s work is ruined. Trufant never was the elite option Atlanta wanted but he showed consistent flashes of greatness.
Paired with A.J. and already having fixed the pass rush this gives the Falcons enough talent to support an all-star offense. Similar to their 2016 run to the Super Bowl this team has clear defensive questions but enough talent to make stops for a loaded offense.
The additions of Jones, Mack, Abraham, and Trufant would easily make the Falcons the only threat to the 49ers in the NFC and arguably the conference favorites. Benefitting from playing in a conference with far inferior quarterback depth this team truly isn’t far away from having a chance to make the hypothetical a reality and become real contenders again.
