5 NFL teams that did the most to help their QB in 2023

1. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons had a clear goal in mind during the 2023 NFL Draft and free agency: help their second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder find success early on in his second year as a pro. And the moves they made were nothing short of fantastic.

One of the biggest steps the Falcons took was drafting Bijan Robinson at eighth overall. Robinson is a dynamic running back who will take the pressure off Ridder, as head coach Arthur Smith loves to lean on the run and use play action. Robinson’s size, physicality, and contact balance make him a workhorse at the NFL level, while his short-area athleticism, flexibility, processing ability, and creative instincts allow him to put defenders on a string and be a high-level receiving threat. This elite RB is a top-flight NFL runner out of the gate and takes a lot of pressure off Ridder.

The Falcons didn’t stop there. They also drafted Matthew Bergeron at pick 38. Bergeron, who hails from Quebec, is one of the highest-upside blockers in the entire 2023 NFL Draft. He likely projects inside to left guard with the Falcons, and on the interior, he has the explosive athleticism, range as a blocker, power, and physicality at 6’5”, 321 pounds to plow open lanes and lead runners upfield. His corrective twitch for his size, in particular, is an eye-catching trait, making him a road-grader who projects extremely well inside and an asset for Arthur Smith early on.

By adding a dynamic running back in Bijan Robinson, retaining Kaleb McGary and signing Germain Ifedi to protect Ridder upfront, drafting Matthew Bergeron to bolster their offensive line, and adding WR Mack Collins for depth at wideout, the Falcons have set Ridder up for success in his second year as a pro.