OTAs are officially over and mandatory minicamps for the Atlanta Falcons are upon us! This is the final chance that rookies, botttom-of-the-roster veterans and undrafted free agents have to impress the coaching staff before the intermission between spring team activities and the grueling summers of training camp. For some, they have spent their spring and early summer getting in the good graces of the new coaching staff under head coach Raheem Morris while some may have missed a golden opportunity to secure themselves a spot on the 53-man roster. Today, we explore the biggest winners and losers as we inch ever closer to the time toe meets ball on September 8th.
Winner - CB Clark Phillips III
There can't be a bigger winner right now than second-year cornerback Clark Phillips III. It's clear that he's starting to run away with the CB2 job, despite not meeting the usual length requirements necessary for a Morris and Jimmy Lake defense. Phillips' instincts and coverage ability were his calling cards coming into the league and it was thought those would be best utilized as a slot player. However, with Dee Alford fortifying that spot. Phillips has clearly made it to where Morris and Lake simply can't sit him.
That does not mean the job is outrightly his, newcomers Mike Hughes and Kevin King are still nipping at Phillips' heels. But as for now, the job is CP3's to lose.
Loser - RB Jase McClellan
It's never fun to hear about someone missing an opportunity due to opportunity, but it feels somber when it's a rookie. Jase McClellan has missed the OTA period due to an unspecified pre-draft injury and will see his first action in the NFL within the structure of training camp.
All isn't lost for McClellan. He is still a great talent and will compete for that final RB3 spot with Carlos Washington, Jr. Avery Williams is almost locked to make the roster due to his special teams and return ability, especially with the installment of the new kickoff rules.
Not having that opportunity to build chemistry with the offensive line and running back room and not getting those on-field reps with the offense make it an uphill climb for McClellan.
Winner - QB Kirk Cousins
Seeing Kirk Cousins healthy, throwing the football into tight windows and looking like the Achilles injury won't hamper his ability feels like a win in and of itself. But the big win is the silence surrounding the Falcons facilities right now as Cousins has taken full control of this locker room and dampened any talk of a potential QB controversy (even if his name on the dotted line of a $100 million guaranteed contract should have done that for him).
Cousins looks to have that same joyful, dad-like feel that endeared him to his teammates in Minnesota, mixed with that veteran leadership that made him the best quarterback option in this year's free agency period. The Falcons go where Cousins goes, so seeing him looking comfortable in Flowery Branch this early is a good sign for the 2024 season.
Loser - Rookie Hype
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there hasn't been much hype around the rookie class as usual heading into mandatory minicamp. Given that five of the eight rookies need pads to truly show their abilities, and one of the other four is a quarterback, who we probably won't see until 2026, it makes sense.
The only hype we're getting right now surrounds sixth-round receiver Casey Washington, and while it's good to see a late day-three pick get his flowers, it's been a bit quiet. Hopefully, with the pads comes more talk about these rookies and their potential impact in 2024.
Winner - Optimism
Let's leave here on a high note:
Atlanta projects as one of the top offensive cores in the league, as having some of the best top-end talent, from arguably the best guard in football to a top-five running back while being extraordinarily healthy *knocks on wood* this off-season.
There should be an abundance of optimism right now in Flowery Branch, and for good reason.
