The Falcons’ secret weapon is a tight end most fans have never heard of
The Falcons’ secret weapon is unleashing their running game.
If I were making a list of the most fun offenses to watch in the NFL right now, the Atlanta Falcons would be near the top of that list. Ever since the loss to the Steelers (sans a hiccup against Seattle), the Falcons have been an incredibly well-designed, well-functioning machine, placing ninth in EPA per play and Sixth in Offensive Success Rate. Now, the Falcons offense has many stars playing really well: RB Bijan Robinson is one of the most versatile and electric players in the sport, QB Kirk Cousins is playing at a high level, and receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney (!) are playing their way into Pro Bowl consideration. Even TE Kyle Pitts has come along since the beginning of the season.
However, I want to present to you one secret weapon the Falcons have, that makes their offense really take off: TE Charlie Woerner. Woerner isn’t going to catch many passes: in fact, he only has two catches this year. However, why he’s so important is simple: he kicks ASS in the run game. With as much 11 personnel as the Falcons play (2nd in 11 personnel rate, only behind the Los Angeles Rams), having a tight end who can be a difference maker in the run game is important. As the Falcons’ superstars have gotten all the recognition, it’s Woerner that really helps make them go.
The Falcons are almost exclusively a zone running team. With Woerner on the field they’re running a zone run 87% of the time, and it only drops to 84% without him. However, what they ask him to do varies. He’s often brought in motion a momentum blocker; he gets a full head of steam and just caves whoever he sees. What this does is allows Atlanta to use motion in the run game to create better angles for Woerner as a blocker, and for the backs to see the creases clearer. What the Falcons have started doing is instead of bringing him in motion to help double on the EDGE (it’s like what San Francisco runs with George Kittle), Woerner runs in between the guard and tackle to either help on a defensive tackle or make his way to a LB, like he does here against Dallas. Watch him put LB DeMarvion Overshown in the dirt, folks. That’s what a super role player does.
Again, here comes Woerner on the motion across, and it essentially creates a lead blocker for RB Bijan Robinson, who takes all this space afforded to him and turns it into a 14 yard play.
Even when he isn’t in motion, he’s making an impact in the run game. Atlanta loves a condensed formation, and running out of those tighter looks forces DBs into the run fit against blockers like Woerner, who automatically have the advantage in these situations. Woerner is able to turn a DB inside out on this run, creating a crease for Robinson again. The motion brings a DB into the run fit and Robinson is off to the races.
Again, he remains important to this team because he helps to keep them effective on the ground, despite playing in lighter personnel. Having receivers and tight ends like Woerner who will block his ass off helps to elevate teams like Atlanta and the LA Rams because they don’t have to get big to run the ball, they can just play in their version of a base offense. On RB Tyler Allgeier’s touchdown, Woerner does a great job at the point of attack once again. He fights him off just enough to let Allgeier get through the gap, and then finishes the block as Allgeier scores.
Atlanta’s ability to run the ball out of 11 personnel (0.02 EPA/rush) really helps keep that offense on track, and Woerner plays a huge role in it. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson does a great job of designing concepts both under center and in the pistol to get him on the move and create nice situations for him, and he executes them really well. Atlanta plays the Saints on Sunday, who are currently going through some things of their own, but if you tune into this game, keep an eye out for Woerner and his ability to whip ass on the ground.