For the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 1 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the storylines are endless. Michael Penix Jr will be under the microscope while holding the keys to the franchise, Kyle Pitts is aiming to revive what has been a largely disappointing career with the Dirty Birds, and four rookies will be starting for Jeff Ulbrich’s defense on Sunday.
But one of those rookies has emerged as the biggest storyline in Atlanta. While the draft compensation the team gave up for James Pearce Jr. is turning heads, it’s his fellow first-rounder who could have the greater immediate impact.