Matt Ryan And The Most Disappointing Atlanta Falcons Of 2015

By Brad Berreman

After a 5-0 start, the Atlanta Falcons faded from prominence on the way to missing the playoffs with an 8-8 record. Here are the five most disappointing Falcons from the 2015 season.

Matt Ryan And The Most Disappointing Atlanta Falcons Of 2015

← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate →

WR Devin Hester — After a somewhat promising 2014 season with the Falcons (38 receptions for 504 yards), turf toe sidelined Hester for most of this season. He is on the radar as an offseason cut for Atlanta, and the veteran may have a tough time finding another opportunity.

LB Brooks Reed — The Falcons signed Reed to a five-year, $22.5 million deal last offseason, but a groin injury sidelined him early in the season and he had just 17 total tackles with zero sacks in 13 games. A mulligan is coming next season, but Reed's first year in Atlanta did not meet any expectations.

DE/LB Vic Beasley — The Falcons drafted Beasley No. 8 overall last year with the idea he would add juice to their pass rush, but he delivered just four sacks despite playing all 16 games. Beasley did suggest late in the season that he was playing through a shoulder injury, so the prospect of better health will bring high expectations again next season.

WR Roddy White — White had another disappointing season in 2015, with just 43 receptions for 506 yards and one touchdown over 16 games. The Falcons need a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver, which White is clearly not anymore, so if he is unwilling to take a pay cut the team would probably be better off without him next season.

QB Matt Ryan — Ryan acknowledged that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system was too much for him at times this season, which comes off as a puzzling comment from a veteran quarterback. What is clear is that Ryan's performance, with 21 touchdown passes and 21 turnovers accounted for, was not nearly good enough in 2015.

Teams in this article »

Atlanta Falcons

Share On Facebook

Share