The Falcons haven’t exactly loaded up on weapons thus far this offseason, though Jonnu Smith, Mack Hollins, and Scotty Miller are now aboard. Even if they add via the draft, there still should be a prominent role for Cordarrelle Patterson, 2021’s breakout star and everyone’s favorite free agent recruiter. Patterson has been a critical piece of Arthur Smith’s offense each of the past two years as chaos has reigned around him, as he has handily outscored every other skill position player over that span.
The interesting question concerns his potential 2023 role. After looking at his 2021 production and predicting the team would elect to use him more as a receiving option than a runner in 2022, I was badly burnt by his actual production, which amounted to 31 fewer receptions, 426 fewer yards, and five fewer touchdowns in three fewer games.