Atlanta Falcons LB Troy Andersen could be a Falcons break out candidate

Atlanta Falcons LB Troy Andersen (44) – Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons break out player candidate list for 2023 is quite long after the team spent the 2023 offseason upgrading most of their position groups. These kinds of problems are good to have and ones that the Falcons welcome after enduring a cap-strangled roster for years. These players have a chance to take their game to the next level, and their performances will have some of the most significant impacts on the 2023 Atlanta Falcons season.

Here are the 2023 Falcons break out players to watch out for:

Troy Andersen, LB #44

The second-year linebacker out of Montana State could be the Falcons break out candidate with the most pressure to do so. The freak athlete (10.00 R.A.S.) had ups and downs during his rookie season (as most rookies do), but he’ll need to take a big step to live up to his second-round pick selection. The good thing is that Andersen has all the tools to do so.

Andersen primarily played the WILL LB role last season but did close out the season playing the MIKE. With the departure of Rashaan Evans, those duties could continue into 2023. The linebacker unit is the weakest on Atlanta’s defense, but that’s primarily due to the unknown progression surrounding Andersen. New DC Ryan Neilsen took advantage of free agent acquisition Kaden Elliss’s traits last year, helping the 4th year player hit a career-high in sacks, and the hope is that he can do the same for Andersen.

If so, this Falcons break out performance could turn what many thought was a weakness into a respectable unit.

Drew Dalman, C #67

One could argue that Drew Dalman had his Falcons break out performance last season, but Dalman isn’t a finished product and has a chance to elevate his standing in the league at the center position with the talent surrounding him. Dalman wasn’t the weakest link on last year’s o-line, but he was objectively the fourth-best starter among the unit, with a season plagued with mishandled and inaccurate snaps.

However, Dalman still showed strides from his rookie season. He was effective in the running game, leading one of the best rushing attacks in the league. Dalman is serviceable in the passing game but needs to improve the most in this area. Dalman has trouble anchoring at times, but with another offseason under his belt and Dwayne Ledford’s tutelage, he has a real shot at becoming a top-10 center next year.

This Falcons break out performance could have a broad ripple effect. High-level center play always makes the QB’s life easier, but rookie LG Matthew Bergeron would also be a notable benefactor.

Jonnu Smith, TE #81

This 2023 free agent addition via trade could be the Falcons break out player that makes life easier for the entire offense. Jonnu Smith had a disappointing tenure in New England and never quite lived up to his $50M contract. Still, he gets to rebound in the perfect scenario for his career. Smith rejoins the coach that helped make him a monster in 2020, Falcons HC Arthur Smith. Not only is there a familiar face in the building, but there’s also less pressure in his new role.

Kyle Pitts is the starting TE of this team, but Smith offers Atlanta someone who can play the position primarily in-line. This will allow Pitts to be positionless in the passing game and used in various formations similar to his rookie season. Jonnu is also an upgrade as a blocker. While he doesn’t offer as much as Pitts in the passing game (few do), he’s still a respectable threat in the short – intermediate match, which could make him an excellent safety outlet for Desmond Ridder.

If these 2023 Atlanta Falcons break out player predictions come to fruition, this team will make some noise in the NFC.