Atlanta’s quarterback position starts with Penix, a former first-round pick whose second pro season ended abruptly when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in his ninth game of the campaign. With Penix still working his way back from the injury, the Falcons knew they needed another option and quickly seized the opportunity to add another former first-round pick, Tua Tagovailoa, in March.
With the Tagovailoa addition, Atlanta gave Stefanski two viable options entering his first year with the Falcons. General manager Ian Cunningham didn’t stop there though, picking up two receivers in the offseason: veteran Jahan Dotson and third-round pick Zachariah Branch.
“I like the signing of Jahan Dotson … I’m a huge believer in depth,” Ryan explained. “I think Kevin Stefanski, Ian Cunningham, we’re all on board with that. It takes everybody. The best teams I’ve been a part of had the best depth. … Of course you’ve got to have those elite players, but if you’re going to be successful long term and you’re going to be consistent year in and year out, depth is paramount. So, like when I add the guy, I think there’s untapped potential with him and some of it is just the circumstances that he was in in and some of the places he was excited about You add Zachariah Branch to that, something that is unique.
A first-round pick of the Commanders in 2022, Dotson is a player who has lived up to his potential through four seasons. He’s never broken 600 yards in a season, yet he shows enough flashes to maintain intrigue. Ryan is the latest to buy into the dream of Dotson flourishing, an outcome that seems possible in Atlanta, where the Falcons have a collection of playmakers — Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts — around Dotson.
“I think there are some nice pieces, I do,” Ryan said. “I think there are some guys to be optimistic and excited about. Bijan, he’s such a dynamic player. You know, one of five or six in the entire league that has the ability when the ball is in his hand at any time to be able to take it to the house. So when you have a guy like that, you have an opportunity every snap. I look at Drake as a great player where he can be a great player there. and I think he’s going to continue to grow and improve themselves.”
If all goes well, Ryan will have plenty to smile about. First, however, the Falcons have to figure out the quarterback position. After that, the true test of Ryan’s optimism begins.