The Falcons‘ schedule features several intriguing storylines.
The club opens the season at home against the Panthers, who will more than likely be starting first overall pick Bryce Young.
More interestingly, they’ll travel to New Orleans to take on their arch-rivals in the season finale, which could be a contest that decides the NFC South.
The Falcons will also travel across the pond to play in London against the Jaguars, and there’s an interesting wrinkle to that Week 4 matchup.
The league suspended Jacksonville’s offensive tackle Cam Robinson for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Though he’s allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games, the 27-year-old won’t be eligible to return to the team until October 2, following the London trip.
After being franchise tagged, Robinson inked a three-year, $54 million deal but will forfeit about $4.55 million as a result of the suspension. Any time a team loses a starter, it’s a big deal; however, losing your staring left tackle is much different.
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Robinson has started 75 games. He’s been a stalwart and was subsequently compensated but will now hurt his team.
The Jags’ pain is the Falcons’ gain. Though they drafted Anton Harrison with the 27th pick of the 2023 draft, he’s undoubtedly a downgrade.
Walker Little has been a stud on the right side, so there’s a chance he slots over to the left side, but Harrison, a rookie, will have to start immediately.
Tackle is one of the most difficult positions to acclimate to at the NFL level, and Atlanta’s pass rushers should feast on the Oklahoma product on whichever side he starts on in place of Cam Robinson.
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