Atlanta Falcons - NFFC | High Stakes Fantasy Football

Atlanta Falcons

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Darnell Mooney Darnell Mooney Locked in for key role Thu, May 2, 2024, 7:20 PM The Falcons figure to be heavily reliant on Mooney and Drake London at wide receiver, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The Falcons have sent multiple signals that they expect Mooney to bounce back from a quiet 2023 in Chicago, first giving him $26 million guaranteed on a three-year, $39 million contract and now waiting until the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft before taking a wide receiver (Casey Washington). There's no serious competition for the No. 2 WR job, though it is possible Mooney ends up a distant fourth behind London, RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts in terms of prioritization in Atlanta' offense. Still, it's not a bad spot to be in, especially for a thin, fast receiver who projects better as a deep threat than as a high-volume guy.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Has 2025 option exercised Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 4:34 PM The Falcons exercised Pitts' 2025 fifth-year option, Field Yates of ESPN reports. Analysis: It's a no-brainer move for the Falcons, even if Pitts, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2021 Draft, is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons after going over 1,000 yards as a rookie. The hope in Atlanta is that the acquisition of Kirk Cousins coupled with the new coaching staff can help maximize Pitts' abilities. Pitts' figures to be a popular 2024 rebound candidate in both real life and fantasy football.
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Joined by first-round rookie QB Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 4:26 PM Cousins (Achilles), who signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in March, is slated to be joined in the team's QB corps by Michael Penix, who was taken with the No. 8 overall pick in Thursday's NFL draft, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Despite the franchise's surprising decision to select Penix, Cousins, who is rebounding from an Achilles tear that he sustained Oct. 29, remains locked in as the Falcons' No. 1 QB for the foreseeable future. Regarding that topic, GM Terry Fontenot noted Thursday, "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We're very excited about Kirk, very excited about this team. (With) Michael Penix we're talking about the future. The draft is you look at the future and you look at big picture." In terms of his injury recovery, Cousins relayed last month that he's progressing well and is "optimistic that (he) can be full speed at practice before (the Falcons) break for the summer." In any case, barring any setbacks, Cousins -- who turns 36 in August -- is entrenched atop Atlanta's depth chart, with Penix providing the team with both an insurance policy for the veteran signal-caller, as well as a potential successor down the road.
Taylor Heinicke Taylor Heinicke Accepts pay cut Tue, Apr 2, 2024, 8:21 AM Heinicke took a pay cut in March to stay with the Falcons, reducing his $5 million base salary to $1.21 million, ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein reports. Analysis: He also converted a $1.32 million roster bonus to a signing bonus and agreed to remove the $40,000 per-game roster bonuses from his contract. He's left with $2.53 million in real-money compensation for the second and final year of his deal, with a $4.53 million cap hit. Heinicke is in excellent position for the backup QB role behind Kirk Cousins, after Desmond Ridder was traded to Arizona for Rondale Moore in mid-March. The Falcons still have time to bring in competition, but it may not be a priority given that Heinicke's track record suggests he's qualified for the second spot on the depth chart. They'll at least need to bring in a camp arm or two, seeing as Cousins and Heinicke are the only QBs on the roster at the beginning of April.
Ray-Ray McCloud Ray-Ray McCloud Inks deal with Atlanta Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 3:22 PM The Falcons signed McCloud to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: McCloud has agreed to terms with Atlanta after spending the last two years of his career in San Francisco. The 27-year-old wideout was primarily utilized as a return specialist in 2023, returning 24 punts and 10 kicks for 428 yards. McCloud played just 28 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps last season, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 135 yards and no touchdowns. He's expected to have the opportunity to compete for a depth role at wideout this offseason, most likely behind both Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
KhaDarel Hodge KhaDarel Hodge Inks new deal Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 12:47 PM Hodge re-signed with the Falcons on Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports. Analysis: Hodge will get a third year with Atlanta after spending the two previous seasons with the team. The 29-year-old played in all 17 games last season, recording 14 catches on 23 targets for 232 yards. With Drake London returning and the acquisitions of Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore so far this offseason, Hodge likely won't be high on the team's positional depth chart at wide receiver to start the 2024 campaign.
Rondale Moore Rondale Moore Headed to Atlanta Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 12:36 PM The Cardinals are slated to trade Moore to the Falcons in exchange for Desmond Ridder, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Per Pelissero, this is a 1-for-1 player deal, with Ridder headed to Arizona to back up signal-caller Kyler Murray and Moore on his way to Atlanta to bolster the team's wideout corps. In 17 regular-season games for the Cardinals in 2023, Moore caught 40 of his 62 targets for 352 yards and one touchdown and logged 28 carries for 178 yards and another score. In his new locale, the 2021 second-rounder should have a chance serve as a key target for new QB Kirk Cousins alongside fellow WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney. In that context, Moore has a chance to re-emerge on the fantasy radar in deeper formats this coming season.
Desmond Ridder Desmond Ridder Could be on the move Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 12:13 PM The Falcons are expected to trade Ridder following the signing of Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: Atlanta reportedly doesn't have an immediate deal in place, but Ridder should draw some interest from teams in the league willing to part with later draft picks. The 2022 third-round pick boasts a unique amount of starting experience, as he's now heading into just his age-25 season, potentially making him an upgrade as a No. 2 option for some quarterback rooms in the NFL. If Ridder is indeed traded, it could throw a wrench in the assumption that Atlanta will release Taylor Heinicke in a cap-savings move.
Drake London Drake London Outlook looking up Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 10:58 AM London is positioned to benefit from improved quarterback play going forward, with Kirk Cousins (Achilles) having officially inked a four-year deal worth up to $180 million with the Falcons on Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports. Analysis: London has sketched solid behind-the-scenes metrics in each of his first two pro seasons, but while having to endure a combination of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke under center, the 2022 first-round pick has also failed to record a 1,000-yard receiving campaign yet. He finished his rookie season with a 72-866-4 line while playing all 17 games, and 2023 with a 69-905-2 line in one less contest. Even coming off an Achilles tear at 35 years old, Cousins promises reliable passing production, with London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson as his go-to playmakers, in addition to recent addition Darnell Mooney. Cousins threw for 4,000-plus passing yards in seven of his last eight seasons from 2015-22, and regularly hovered around the 30-touchdown range. Considering his improved situation, London figures to be a popular breakout candidate in 2024 fantasy drafts, one who it wouldn't be surprising to see come off the board top-10 at his position.
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Aiming to be 100 percent by June Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 7:27 PM Cousins (Achilles) said during his introductory news conference as a member of the Falcons on Wednesday that he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" by the end of the offseason program in June, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Considering Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles on Oct. 29 during a Week 8 win at Green Bay, he may be hard-pressed to be completely healthy once Atlanta completes mandatory minicamp. More realistically, he'll be able to handle most of the first-team reps during training camp and even get some run in the preseason as he transitions to the third team of his career. When he's healthy, Cousins will have all the skill talent at his disposal in the form of RBs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts. All four players have exactly one campaign with at least 900 yards from scrimmage, which should help Cousins dabble with 4,000-plus passing yards like he did seven times in eight seasons from 2015 through 2022.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Finally gets QB upgrade Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 4:02 PM Pitts looks set to benefit from improved quarterback play, with Kirk Cousins (Achilles) slated to sign a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta, Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports. Analysis: Pitts could be the Falcons' skill-position player most primed to benefit from a quarterback upgrade, having begun his NFL career with a 1,026-yard rookie campaign while paired with an aged Matt Ryan in 2021, and since turned in 356- and 667-yard efforts while catching passes from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, plus battling injuries. Fantasy managers may be too fatigued to make Pitts a true consensus breakout candidate for the 2024 campaign, in addition to Cousins likely being the best quarterback he's played with in his career, even coming off an Achilles tear, there's more at work in favor of the 2021 fourth overall pick, and once-consensus 'generational prospect.' Pitts will get to enter this offseason at full health after having to rehab from an MCL sprain last year, and the departure of fellow pass-catching tight end Jonnu Smith to Miami opens a path back up to an uncontested starting role.
Bijan Robinson Bijan Robinson Offense promises improvement Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 3:23 PM Robinson looks set to benefit from an improved offense Year 2 with Kirk Cousins (Achilles) slated to sign a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta, Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports. Analysis: Robinson, the eighth overall pick of last year's draft, fell just short of 1,000 rushing yards (976) as a rookie but showcased a three-down skillset, boosting his fantasy totals with a 58-487-4 line through the air. Catching passes from Cousins, who will need to first recover from his Achilles injury, will alone provide a boost to Robinson's prospects, but if the Falcons can finally field a more legitimate passing game with Drake London, Kyle Pitts and new face Darnell Mooney, that two-dimensional offense will help keep defenses honest. Robinson and teammate Tyler Allgeier faced 8-plus defenders in the box 20.6 and 30.7 percent of the time last year, respectively, metrics that will stand to decline if Cousins manages to threaten opposing secondaries downfield more efficiently than Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke did. Robinson will be a popular breakout candidate for the 2024 campaign, with the tantalizing promise of an Atlanta offense finally headlined by competent quarterback play.
Taylor Heinicke Taylor Heinicke Future in Atlanta murky Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 3:32 PM Heinicke is poised to drop to No. 3 on Atlanta's depth chart with the team slated to sign Kirk Cousins (Achilles), Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports. Analysis: Cutting Heinicke would save the Falcons roughly $7 million against the cap, with just $2 million in dead money, a move that seems like a no-brainer in the wake of Cousins' signing. Even if Atlanta is concerned about its new franchise quarterback's Week 1 availability, the team still has Desmond Ridder under contract on his affordable rookie deal. Heinicke finished 2023 as the starter over Ridder, but both signal-callers were ultimately unimpressive. The Falcons will avoid paying Heinicke a $1.3 million roster bonus if he's cut or traded prior to March 17.
Darnell Mooney Darnell Mooney Joining Kirk Cousins in Atlanta Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 10:48 AM Mooney and the Falcons have reached agreement on a three-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: The deal reportedly is for $39 million, including $26 million in guarantees. It's a good landing spot for Mooney's fantasy value, with the Falcons also set to sign QB Kirk Cousins (Achilles) and lacking depth at WR behind No. 1 option Drake London. The former Bear came into the NFL as a fifth-round pick and had 1,686 receiving yards over his first two seasons, but a severe ankle injury cut his third year short, and he then dropped off to only 414 yards in 15 regular-season games in 2023. If nothing else, Mooney's 4.38 speed should help keep defensive backs honest and leave more space underneath for London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson.
Desmond Ridder Desmond Ridder Sliding into backup role Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 9:18 AM Ridder figures to be relegated to a backup role with the Falcons set to sign Kirk Cousins, per the team's official website. Analysis: The 2022 third-round pick has won eight of his 17 NFL starts while throwing 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He's completed 64.0 percent of his passes for 7.0 YPA, but with a higher-than-average sack rate (7.4 percent) and nine lost fumbles. Overall, Ridder has the same number of turnovers (19) as combined passing and rushing TDs in the NFL. The Falcons likely will release Taylor Heinicke after their agreement with Cousins becomes official.
Charlie Woerner Charlie Woerner Signing with Falcons Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 5:14 PM Woerner plans to sign a three-year, $12 million contract with Atlanta, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: After parting ways with Jonnu Smith, the Falcons have now decided to add Woerner as a blocker at tight end. Woerner saw just three targets over 303 offensive snaps with the 49ers in 2023.
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Signing with Atlanta Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 1:37 PM Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year contract with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney at Vayner Sports. Analysis: The Falcons were rumored to represent Minnesota's strongest competition for the 35-year-old QB and apparently won the bidding within the first three hours of the free-agent negotiating period. Cousins can't sign a contract until Wednesday afternoon, and it might take a bit longer than that to become official given the possible complication of his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury is less of a concern for a pocket passer than for other NFL players, but it may nonetheless impact Cousins' participation in offseason practices under new Falcons coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The signing is excellent news for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, and it also bodes well for RB Bijan Robinson's continued involvement as a receiver. Cousins won't necessarily have the deepest group of pass catchers in Atlanta, but he'll have high-end talent and a strong offensive line. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left without a starting QB and figure to take a look at both veteran and rookie options.
Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Being cut by Falcons Tue, Feb 27, 2024, 2:11 PM Smith is expected to be released by Atlanta, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: Smith performed adequately for the Falcons in his debut season with the team, as in 2023 he secured 50 of 70 targets for 582 yards and three touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances. Nonetheless, entering his age-29 season Smith carried a non-guaranteed salary of $6.5 million, with just $2.5 million in dead money, making his release a relatively easy decision. Though Smith was the Falcons' fourth-leading receiver in 2023, that came in part due to former head coach Arthur Smith's tight-end heavy deployment, something that seems likely to change under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Kyle Pitts now looks primed to enter the 2024 campaign as the clear top option leading Atlanta's TE depth chart.
Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith May be cut for cap space Tue, Feb 20, 2024, 3:54 PM Smith may be released this offseason, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Analysis: The Falcons traded for Smith last offseason and then put him in a role that allowed for career highs in targets (70), catches (50) and receiving yards (582), with the TE producing more yards than he had in two seasons combined (2021-22) for New England. His future nonetheless appears uncertain, as Smith will turn 29 in August and has a non-guaranteed $6.5 million base salary for the final year of his contract. The Falcons still have TE Kyle Pitts under contract and just hired an offensive coordinator (Zac Robinson) whose only prior NFL coaching experience was a five-year stint with a Rams team that regularly led the league in use of three-wide formations. The Falcons likely would try to trade Smith before releasing him, and other options would include a contract extension that lowers his 2024 cap hit.
MyCole Pruitt MyCole Pruitt Injured in season finale Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 10:54 AM Pruitt (calf) finished 2023 with nine receptions on 12 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown across 17 appearances. Analysis: Pruitt caught one or fewer passes in all but one game this season. He also secured just one touchdown after posting a career-high four scores in 2022. The veteran tight end, who's mostly known for his blocking prowess, was knocked out of the season finale due to a calf injury, and the extent of the issue remains unclear. The veteran is entering his age-32 season and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.