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Atlanta Falcons: 3 Things to watch in Preseason Week 3

By Derek Snyder

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the offense against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Georgia Dome on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 01: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the offense against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Georgia Dome on September 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 17: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons stiffarms David Amerson #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 17: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons stiffarms David Amerson #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

1. Calvin Ridley

I am still dumbfounded that wide receiver, Calvin Ridley, fell to the Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft last April. The former Alabama superstar joins a roster full of elite talent, looking to blaze his own trail as a professional football player. Needless to say, if his performance against the Chiefs in Week Two gives us any insight, Ridley is going to be one heck of a player for the Dirty Birds.

Heading into Week Three, Ridley has a great opportunity to compete against one of the toughest defensive backfields in the league. Obviously, this match-up won’t define whether or not Ridley will be successful against such defenses in his rookie year, but it will give us a great look at how he handles that kind of pressure.

In addition to facing a tough Jags secondary, I’m interested to see how Ridley does returning kicks in Jacksonville. He had flashes of excitement in the return game against Kansas City last weekend, but it’s clear he hasn’t won the job just yet.

Next. NFL Preseason: Bold predictions for Week 3. dark

Who knows, maybe a couple of long returns is exactly what Dan Quinn and Keith Armstrong needs to see to give him the seal of approval? That said, what are some things you’re looking forward to seeing on Saturday, Falcons fans? Did Jalen Ramsey happen to make your list as well?

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