Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel is having a big game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and this may surprise you — because you’ve probably never heard of him.
Falcons WR Taylor Gabriel is crushing the Bucs. Who is this guy?
Meet Atlanta’s secret offensive weapon.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Gabriel is pulling double duty against the Buccaneers and finding success on the ground and through the air. He has two rushes for 24 yards and a touchdown, and he’s added three catches for 38 yards.
The Falcons signed Gabriel after he was waived by the Cleveland Browns during roster cuts before the 2016 season. Gabriel flourished in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s scheme during the 2014 season, racking up 621 receiving yards and a touchdown. Reuniting with Shanahan in Atlanta has been good for Gabriel and the Falcons.
So far this season, Gabriel has 11 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. Shanahan has found ways to feature him in an offense that features a lot of solid receiving targets for Matt Ryan.
Gabriel would like to have more opportunities to make plays, and he’s getting those opportunities against the Bucs.
“I’m a wide receiver, so I feel like I should say yes (to wanting more receptions), but at the same time I’m doing with the team needs me to do,” Gabriel said. “But I do want to make more big plays and just impact the game more.”
That’s one key to the Falcons’ offensive success so far this season. If teams dedicate enough resources to successfully slow down Julio Jones, someone else is going to be open.
On Thursday night against the Buccaneers, that someone was Gabriel.
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