Desmond Ridder: Atlanta Falcons look 'explosive' this season

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder believes the explosiveness from the backfield will make the team's offence much more dangerous.

The Falcons used the No. 8 overall pick on running back Bijan Robinson, despite unearthing fifth-round starter Tyler Allgeier last year.

The composition in the Falcons' backfield now aligns with the ground-and-pound offence preferred by coach Arthur Smith.

On paper, the pieces for the Falcons' offence contribute to its explosiveness. The backfield is well-stocked, especially if Robinson hits the ground running as expected.

"As an offense, you look for explosive plays, and get 'em anyway you can, whether that's to Drake (London), whether that's to Kyle (Pitts), a guy like Jonnu (Smith), Mack Hollins, it doesn't matter," Ridder said.

"But then when you can just hand the ball off and give it to a guy like Tyler Allgeier or Bijan or C.P. (Cordarrelle Patterson) and let them go, it just makes my job a lot easier.

"So when they drafted Bijan, I just knew that this offense has something to be explosive. We're able to go out there, and whether it's the run game, pass game, play-action, doesn't matter, we think that we're gonna be pretty explosive."

London demonstrated his WR1 skills as a rookie, Pitts possesses extraordinary athletic traits that make him a nightmare matchup from the TE position, and Smith fits better in this offence than he ever did in New England.

While there are concerns about the depth in the receiver corps, the top players in the skill positions are exceptional, giving the Falcons a chance to thrive in the winnable NFC South.

The most significant question for Atlanta is whether Ridder is the right choice at quarterback.

The 2022 third-round pick started four games towards the end of his rookie season. He displayed flashes of talent, but also experienced moments of struggle.

Ridder averaged 177 passing yards per game in those four contests, throwing two touchdown passes and zero interceptions.