Atlanta Falcons - NFFC | High Stakes Fantasy Football

Atlanta Falcons

NFC | High Stakes Fantasy Sports

News
Avery Williams Avery Williams Works exclusively on special teams Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 2:24 PM Williams returned two punts for 28 yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: Williams didn't see any offensive snaps in Week 1, as Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier handled all the RB duties. While Williams appears to be the No. 1 punt returner, WR Ray-Ray McCloud took all of Atlanta's kick returns versus Pittsburgh.
Charlie Woerner Charlie Woerner Generates two targets in Week 1 Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 2:14 PM Woerner caught one of two targets for four yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: Known for his blocking prowess, Woerner isn't expected to be involved in the passing game very often. In four seasons with San Francisco, Woerner caught 11 passes (15 targets) for 120 yards. Starting tight end Kyle Pitts played 54 offensive snaps in Week 1, securing all three of his targets for 26 yards and a TD, while Woerner saw only 23 snaps on offense.
Darnell Mooney Darnell Mooney Quiet in Falcons debut Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 2:12 PM Mooney caught one of three targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: Mooney operated as the No. 2 wideout, playing 53 of 56 offensive snaps. However, Mooney and Drake London (two receptions for 15 yards) were kept quiet, as Ray-Ray McCloud led Atlanta's wideouts in receiving. Mooney's snap share is promising, but the Falcons' offense will need to find their rhythm for Mooney to generate fantasy-relevant numbers. This was Kirk Cousins' first game since his Achilles injury, as the veteran surprisingly didn't see any action during the preseason. Cousins' comfort level in OC Zac Robinson's scheme will likely be the key factor in Mooney's fantasy value this season.
Ray-Ray McCloud Ray-Ray McCloud Team-high seven targets Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 2:11 PM McCloud caught four of seven targets for 52 yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. He also returned two kickoffs for 56 yards. Analysis: McCloud surprisingly had more targets and receptions than No. 1 wideout Drake London, who finished with two catches on three targets for 15 yards. McCloud played 30 offensive snaps, operating as the WR3 behind London (56) and Darnell Mooney (53). Given his snap share, McCloud isn't likely to lead Atlanta in receiving regularly but should continue to see a handful of targets per game, especially if opposing defenses divert most of their attention to London. McCloud's career-high numbers came in 2021 when playing for the Steelers, totaling 39 receptions (66 targets) for 277 yards. The veteran has caught only one touchdown in his seven-year career.
Tyler Allgeier Tyler Allgeier Minor role in Week 1 loss Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 2:09 PM Allgeier rushed three times for 21 yards during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: Allgeier played only 10 offensive snaps while starting running back Bijan Robinson saw 50. Allgeier remains a strong handcuff, but despite optimistic reports about Allgeier's role this offseason, the latter's Week 1 usage suggests that's all the fantasy value he'll have this season under new OC Zac Robinson. Allgeier averaged 12 touches per outing in 2023 despite a season-low six in Week 17, but he had a 75-yard receiving TD in that game. Barring an injury to Bijan, Allgeier will have a tough time replicating that production in 2024.
Drake London Drake London Limited to three targets Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 8:08 PM London recorded two receptions on three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: London was expected to reach a new level of production this season with a modernized offense in Atlanta and Kirk Cousins under center. However, his Week 1 performance left plenty to be desired, as he finished with fewer targets than Ray-Ray McCloud and Bijan Robinson. Cousins was uncharacteristically inefficient in his first game action in 10 months, so it's probably too early to panic.
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Falls flat in ATL debut Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 7:46 PM Cousins completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: Cousins did not have a good Falcons debut, as he struggled with both inefficiency and untimely mistakes. Each of his interceptions led directly to a field goal for the Steelers, and Cousins appeared out of sync in the offense as the team lost a fumble due to mistimed motion. Cousins also managed only 6.0 yards per attempt, and his longest completion went for just 20 yards. The considerable rust is understandable given that it's been 10 months since he appeared in game action, though Cousins and the Falcons will face another tough test in Week 2 against the Eagles.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Finds end zone in Week 1 Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 6:18 PM Pitts recorded three receptions on three targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Analysis: The distribution of targets in Atlanta was surprising, as Ray-Ray McCloud led the team with seven looks followed by Bijan Robinson. In that context, Pitts had a decent showing that was highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown late in the first half. Pitts has never found the end zone more than three times in a season and hadn't scored earlier than Week 5 entering 2024. Despite the disappointing volume Sunday, Kirk Cousins should elevate the Falcons' offense, in turn improving Pitts' production.
Bijan Robinson Bijan Robinson Good usage with new staff Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 5:29 PM Robinson rushed the ball 18 times for 68 yards in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers. He added five receptions on five targets for 43 yards. Analysis: Robinson had a disappointing day from an efficiency perspective, but there was still good news in terms of his usage. He accounted for 18 of Atlanta's 21 carries out of the backfield and also led the team in receptions. Robinson's 23 touches matched his career high, a mark he reached only two times in his rookie campaign.
Casey Washington Casey Washington Unavailable for Week 1 Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 10:47 AM Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Washington's NFL regular-season debut will be put on hold after he was a healthy scratch for Week 1. The Falcons elevated Chris Blair from their practice squad Saturday. Blair will join Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge as depth wideouts behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney versus Pittsburgh.
Jase McClellan Jase McClellan Inactive for Week 1 Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 10:42 AM McClellan (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: The rookie sixth-round pick out of Alabama's NFL regular-season debut will have to wait, after he was a healthy scratch for Week 1. The Falcons will have three active running backs versus Pittsburgh, with Tyler Allgeier and Avery Williams operating as backups to Bijan Robinson.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Cleared for Sunday Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 2:00 PM Pitts (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Pitts was limited Wednesday before resuming full practice participation Thursday and Friday. He should be ready for a full workload in his first game with QB Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson -- a duo that many expect to propel Pitts to a breakout season.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Gets back to full practice Thursday Thu, Sep 5, 2024, 3:32 PM Pitts (hamstring) practiced fully Thursday. Analysis: One day removed from showing up on the Falcons' initial Week 1 injury report as limited due to a hamstring issue, Pitts handled every practice rep Thursday, following up his own comment from Wednesday that he'd be 100 percent for Sunday's contest against the Steelers, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Pitts has a new context heading into 2024 with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on board, which may allow the fourth-year tight end to tap into the talent that resulted in a huge rookie receiving line (68-1,026-1 on 110 targets in 17 regular-season games) in the 2021 campaign.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Plans to be 100 percent Sunday Wed, Sep 4, 2024, 2:27 PM Pitts (hamstring) said that he expects to be 100 percent healthy for Sunday's season opener against the Steelers, despite being listed as a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Pitts said that his limitations at Wednesday's practice will only amount to missing a play or two, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, when asked if there are any concerns about Pitts' status for Week 1, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports that head coach Raheem Morris answered, "not for me." The athletic tight end will have two more chances to upgrade to full practice participation, but even if he carries an injury designation into the weekend, fantasy managers should have some degree of confidence in Pitts being able to play Sunday. With the arrival of Kirk Cousins under center, Pitts may be primed for a true breakout campaign while paired with the best quarterback play of his four-year career.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Limited with hamstring issue Wed, Sep 4, 2024, 10:41 AM Head coach Raheem Morris said that Pitts will be a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Pitts will be listed with an injury on Atlanta's first official practice report of the regular season, though he seemed to be at full health throughout training camp and the preseason. The fourth-year tight end still has two more chances to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Steelers, which will be Pitts' first chance to work with new quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Falcons have Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley behind Pitts on the depth chart at tight end, but both profile primarily as blockers.
KhaDarel Hodge KhaDarel Hodge Key special teamer Wed, Aug 28, 2024, 11:39 AM Hodge made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Hodge is back for a third season in Atlanta, and his role isn't expected to change much. He played a career-high 358 offensive snaps in 2023 but had similar production to his first year with the Falcons when he put up a 13-202-1 line. Hodge moves down the WR pecking order after the additions of Ray-Ray McCloud and Darnell Mooney, but will remain a key special-teams player for Atlanta in 2024.
Ross Dwelley Ross Dwelley Expected to be block-first TE Wed, Aug 28, 2024, 11:37 AM Dwelley made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Dwelley and Charlie Woerner signed similar contracts this offseason and will start the campaign as backups to Kyle Pitts. Dwelley played sparingly on offense in San Francisco, but he's a stout blocker and will be involved in Atlanta's running game, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
Charlie Woerner Charlie Woerner Will be involved in run game Wed, Aug 28, 2024, 11:35 AM Woerner made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Woerner and Ross Dwelley signed similar contracts this offseason and will open the season as the primary backups to Kyle Pitts. Woerner has a strong blocking acumen and is expected to be heavily involved in the running game, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Woerner also has plenty of experience on special teams, playing 1,257 snaps over four seasons in San Francisco.
Jase McClellan Jase McClellan Totals 23 yards Fri, Aug 23, 2024, 10:20 PM McClellan rushed the ball four times for 12 yards in Friday's 31-0 preseason loss to the Jaguars. He added one reception on one target for 11 yards. Analysis: McClellan followed Carlos Washington into the game with both Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson sidelined. He has flashed some ability throughout the preseason, particularly in last week's matchup against the Ravens when he totaled 55 yards on the ground. That appears to be enough to have McClellan fourth on the depth chart, putting him on the roster bubble heading into cutdown day.
Michael Penix Michael Penix Won't play in preseason finale Sun, Aug 18, 2024, 9:52 AM Penix is expected to be held out of Atlanta's final exhibition game against Jacksonville on Friday, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Penix also didn't play in the Falcons' second preseason contest versus Baltimore on Saturday. Head coach Raheem Morris explained that the team feels it "saw enough last week [in Atlanta's preseason opener] of him and the live stuff," adding that "[Penix] showed us last week enough that we don't have to play him in the preseason." The rookie QB completed nine of 16 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against Miami in Atlanta's first game of the preseason and is slated to open the regular season as the team's backup behind Kirk Cousins.