What should the Falcons expect from Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson?

Robinson scored eight touchdowns last season, which ranked 33rd among talent players, but he often gave up carries to Tyler Allgeier as Atlanta got closer to the goal line. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — Allgeier is a great player in his own right — but a new playmaker can have a different philosophy. Robinson also ranks 47th in time behind the line of scrimmage on rush plays, averaging 3.06 seconds, according to Tru Media. That can be partly attributed to the scheme, but I also think Robinson will be more decisive as the game continues to slow down.

Like the Falcons, the Rams boasted one of the league’s best rushing attacks last season, a sharp turnaround from their 2022 performance. That was partly due to a shift in their running scheme toward a more gap- and power-based approach. For example, Kyren William ranked No. 6 with 2.65 seconds spent behind the line of scrimmage.

Robinson should get downhill more often and continue to get chances in space. The right combination of those elements should lead to more explosive plays and hopefully another big step forward for the second-year point guard.

Terrin Waack: Of course, those are the big three. Their names have been and will be mentioned throughout the year. But I want to give my first flowers to receiver Darnell Mooney.

I think the new Falcons member will appear in 2024, and I’m not the only one.

“He’s a player who gets down the field, gets yards per reception,” receivers coach Ike Hilliard said. “He’s a great route runner. He’s very, very instinctive. He’s got good hands. He’s great after the catch. I think you’re going to see him run some unique routes that you haven’t seen in years.”

Years gone by. That’s where my interest was piqued.

The Chicago Bears drafted Mooney in 2020 and he played in 60 games during his four years there. Mooney’s best season came in 2021, when he had 1,055 receiving yards on 81 receptions with four touchdowns. But his production then declined, partly due to injury. His combined numbers from 2022-23 — 71 receptions for 907 yards and three touchdowns — don’t even match those from the year before.

Atlanta management sees something in Mooney, though. Maybe 2021 was his norm, not the exception. Otherwise, why would the Falcons want to bring him in?

While Mooney may not be the go-to guy (which will likely continue to be the case in London), he should be a very solid second option. In fact, given the way people around Flowery Branch were talking about Mooney in the offseason, he could very well get back into his groove in 2021. Mooney could be the perfect dance partner for London.

Amna Subhan: Drake London will have his first 1,000-yard season in 2024. In fact, I think that’s just the bottom of his expectations this year. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to believe he’ll surpass that number.

Under the guidance of Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and a receiver-oriented system paired with an established veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins, expect London to take a step forward — or a few — in his third season.

London flirted with 1,000 yards in his previous two seasons, racking up 866 and 905 yards in the last two seasons, respectively. If you look closely at Cousins’ numbers, his top receiver has gained at least 1,000 yards in every full year in Minnesota. That should be the case for London this season.

I’m not going to make a prediction about London’s total touchdowns for 2024, but let’s just say it should be more than the two he recorded last season. Much more.

Expectations are high for London, but the former number 8 also expects a lot from himself this season.

“I want to be a versatile receiver, someone who can take over games and be a great teammate,” London said after minicamp practice. “I think I could improve in a lot of those areas, and I think I should.”