Story by
Falcons’ hidden gems Watts, Ojulari, and Branch ready to shine
- Story by
- Falcons’ hidden gems Watts, Ojulari, and Branch ready to shine
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Falcons have spent years rolling around in the dirt at the quarterback spot, but the talent surrounding that hole is finally starting to look like a championship core. While the national media obsesses over whether Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. can solve the team's biggest puzzle, three specific players are being completely overlooked. According to The Falcoholic , safety Xavier Watts , edge rusher Azeez Ojulari , and wide receiver Zachariah Branch are the underrated veterans and rookies who must step up if the team wants to reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
The Safety Net Is Stronger Than You Think
When fans look at the defense, they often fixate on the pass rush or the star running back Bijan Robinson , who is now appropriately paid as the league's best at his position. Yet, the secondary has quietly assembled a group that could lock down opposing offenses if the front seven gets pressure. Reports highlight Xavier Watts as an underrated veteran who brings a unique skill set to the safety position. He's a foundational piece that allows the rest of the defense to play faster. The team has built a roster where the supporting cast is ready, even if the signal-caller is still in question.
Advertisement
Edge Pressure And Rookie Instincts
The defense had all kinds of juice last season, but it needs more consistent disruption from the edge. Azeez Ojulari was selected fifth overall in 2020 and has been waiting for a chance to define his career in Atlanta. He fits perfectly with new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who prefers to lead with a run game that sets up the pass. On the other side of the ball, Zachariah Branch enters the mix as an underrated draft pick who brings a specific mindset to the receiver room. The source notes that "Zachariah is wired the right way," which is exactly the kind of mentality the Falcons need to avoid another year of missed opportunities. These players are the difference-makers in tight games. (Can you imagine the playoff seedings if they lock in?) They're filling roster spots, sure, but their impact goes way beyond the depth chart.
Everything Is Set Except The Quarterback
The last time the Falcons won a playoff game was January 6, 2018, when Dan Quinn's team beat the Los Angeles Rams . Since then, the team has cycled through coaches and quarterbacks without finding a stable answer. Now, with Tua Tagovailoa in town to compete with Penix, the front office has assembled a roster that can win if the quarterback position finally stabilizes. The situation is dire because the team has been in this spot for too long, and the pressure is mounting on the new coaching staff to maximize these hidden gems. As one observer noted regarding the current state of the roster, "We have everything set but the quarterback." That gap is the only thing standing between this team and a return to the postseason. The roster is ready; the clock is ticking.
