North Gwinnett News

As the Atlanta Falcons welcomed a variety of receiving weapons to the team this year, the team’s first organized-team-activity (OTA) practice of the offseason reflected a noticeable change on the field. 

In a recent report by AtlantaFalcons.com, new quarterback Marcus Mariota said the new receivers have made quarterbacks look especially good this offseason.

"With those guys in there, they make you look good," Mariota said. "You don't always have to be perfect with your throws. Being able to have these guys whether it be their catch radius, whether it's their ability to get in and out of cuts, the receivers have really made all of us quarterbacks look good this offseason."

The Falcons receiving corps includes Kyle Pitts (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), Drake London (6-foot-4, 219), Auden Tate (6-foot-5, 228), Bryan Edwards (6-foot-3, 215) and Cordarrelle Patterson (6-foot-2, 227).

The Falcons recently opened their first OTA practice of the offseason for all the world to see the big changes they've made on their offense, the report said. This comes after the team recently signed Mariota as the starting quarterback this offseason.

Following the practice, head coach Art Smith confirmed Deion Jones, Kevin Smith and Vincent Taylor would not be participating in offseason workouts as they are all rehabbing from various procedures, the report said. 

Other takeaways from the first OTA included wide receiver Bryan Edwards noting that having Mariota around "makes it easier" on him to be in Atlanta, adding that if anyone can step in after Matt Ryan's departure, it would be Mariota.