Atlanta Falcons: Expectations for Taylor Gabriel in 2017
By Derek Snyder
We take a look at what the expectations for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel should be heading into the 2017 NFL season.
The Atlanta Falcons have been taking advantage of the Cleveland Browns’ mistakes for the last few years and that was the case again when Ohio’s finest released Taylor Gabriel before last season. He not only contributed to the offense, but he helped the Falcons win their second-ever NFC Championship.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gabriel finished 2016 with 35 receptions for 579 yards and six touchdowns. Not to mention, he had a 27-yard rushing touchdown as well. Take that Cleveland.
At 5-8, Gabriel isn’t the biggest receiver we’ve ever seen in a Falcons uniform, but he may be one of the most exciting to watch. He does such a fantastic job sitting down in zone coverage and does an even better job of getting into the secondary and coming down with the football.
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So after an extremely surprising 2016 season, what should Falcons’ fans expect from “Turbo Taylor” in 2017?
Getting to 1,000 yards is going to be extremely hard for any player on this roster not named Julio Jones. Matt Ryan did a fantastic job spreading the football around last season and it proved that a great 1-2 combo isn’t necessary. While it may be important for some teams, it’s not a do-or-die thing for the Falcons. Atlanta has a ton of weapons that can catch the football and they will wisely continue to use all of them.
That being said, Taylor Gabriel should be featured receiver No. 2 in this system. No, I don’t mean that Tevin Coleman or Devonta Freeman shouldn’t get the ball in open space; I am referring specifically to the receiver position.
I would not be surprised to see Gabriel have 50 or more receptions in 2017 and well over 700 all-purpose yards. New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian knows talent when he sees it and Gabriel may be the second-most talented receiver Atlanta has on the roster.
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The future is very bright for this 26-year old receiver from Abilene Christian. You know what they say: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I think every Falcons fan is glad to have this playmaker on the roster.