Atlanta fans are watching a tight end paradox unfold in real time. The team ranks 30th in the league for targeting the tight end position with just 13 throws, according to the Falcoholic. This stat is shocking because the Falcons line up multiple tight ends on the field more often than most teams. The offense looks like it wants to use two tight ends, but the numbers prove it refuses to throw to them.
The Robinson Effect on Targets
The problem is simple math and talent distribution. Bijan Robinson and Drake London are soaking up the ball, leaving Kyle Pitts as the Lepidus of the skill-position triumvirate. The Falcons aim wide receivers for 59 percent of passes,compared with the 56 percent for Cleveland Amari Cooper’s two full season there. Yet, roughly 17 percent of the Browns’ passes went to running backs in those years, versus 24 percent for the Falcons this year. That extra usage of the running back is stealing targets away from Pitts. The presence of an every-down threat like Robinson funnels passes to the ground game rather than the air.
Stefanski’s Old Blueprint vs. New Reality
Head coach Kevin Stefanski built a reputation for feeding tight ends while in Cleveland. Tight ends received the ball most frequently under his guidance, leading the Browns to consistently achieve high rankings in that category. They had over 900 targets across six seasons, ranking only behind the Kansas City Chiefs in that category. But that success was often a symptom of a lack of reliable wide receivers. The Browns rarely featured a true No. 1 wideout outside of Odell Beckham Jr. and Amari Cooper. The Falcons have both Bijan and London, so the scheme naturally shifts away from the tight end. The offense is not designed to feature Pitts; it is designed to feature its best weapons, and right now, that is not the tight end.
Penix Jr. Changes the Equation
The only path forward involves the quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. returns to the helm, and the offense should actualize its full potential under his command. Penix finished within the top 4 for EPA per dropback among quarterbacks last week, despite a chaotic opening quarter against the Packers. In six out of the seven games Penix and London hav eplayed together, London has exceeded 100 receiving yards. If Penix can spread the ball around, the tight end usage should rise. The team has the talent to win if they start fast and use all their weapons. The math is simple, and the Saints defense cannot handle this kind of production if the Falcons avoid another slow start.
