AJC Poll: Who should start at quarterback in Falcons’ season opener?

Offseason workouts ended for the Falcons, and next up is the start of training camp July 26. One key storyline that has come out of OTAs and the recent minicamp is the competition at quarterback between Marcus Mariota, acquired by the Falcons in March as a free agent, and rookie Desmond Ridder, a third-round pick in the NFL draft in April.

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Mariota has been in the NFL since 2015 and worked with Falcons coach Arthur Smith when Smith was an assistant with the Titans. The past two seasons Mariota served as a backup with the Raiders. Both players had success in college. Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014. Ridder took Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff last season, making the Bearcats the first Group of Five school to appear in the CFP.

Tell us which player should start for the Falcons in the season opener, Sept. 11 at home against the Saints.

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Elijah Wilkinson steps in at right tackle for Falcons

Offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, who played in two games for the Falcons last season, is expected to start at right tackle with Kaleb McGary out for the season.

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Falcons have an ‘all-comers’ competition to replace Kaleb McGary on right side

With Kaleb McGary out for the season, the Falcons are evaluating seven players — including Elijah Wilkinson and Matthew Bergeron — to fill the right tackle role.

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Elijah Wilkinson steps in at right tackle for Falcons

Falcons appear to have a path to dethrone the Bucs in the NFC South

Falcons have an ‘all-comers’ competition to replace Kaleb McGary on right side

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Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

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