New York Giants lead 3 darkhorse contenders for top pick in 2022

2. Atlanta Falcons

Along with the New York Giants, the Atlanta Falcons are another team that will be in contention if they play like they did on Sunday at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Falcons, getting off to the start of a new era with Arthur Smith as head coach and Terry Fontenot as general manager, were just flat out bad against the Eagles who seemingly got to see at least a small glimpse of good from every one of their young core offensive playmakers.

The Falcons didn’t get to see much from their top young playmaker (Kyle Pitts, just four catches for 31 yards) and frankly, this roster just doesn’t look like it’s in any position to be doing much other than competing for the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Time will certainly tell, but the Atlanta Falcons were one of the worst teams in the league in week one, on their home field, losing badly to a team that many projected could finish with a top five pick as well.

Matt Ryan simply isn’t what he used to be for Atlanta.

Julio Jones is gone.

Cordarrelle Patterson led the team in rushing.

It could get ugly in Atlanta this year.