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Atlanta Falcons

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Drake London Drake London Leaves practice due to overheating Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 11:18 AM London left Friday's practice because of cramps and overheating, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: There was briefly concern about an injury when London made an early exit and was seen talking with trainers. It turns out he just needs rest and water, so it shouldn't be long before he's back to building chemistry with new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Drake London Drake London Exits practice with injury Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 10:38 AM London left Friday's practice with an apparent injury, ESPN's Marc Raimondi reports. Analysis: Initial reports don't make it sound too serious, with London reportedly walking off the field and spending some time talking to trainers. His day is likely done, but it's unclear at this point if Atlanta's top WR will miss any additional practices.
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Medically cleared for camp Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 10:29 AM Cousins (Achilles) is medically cleared for training camp but could have some "modifications" to his workload, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: In other words, Cousins might not get as many reps as a starting quarterback typically would even though he doesn't have any limitations in terms of the types of activities he can do. The Falcons have two good options to handle first-team QB reps when Cousins is rested, as they still have Taylor Heinicke and drafted Michael Penix eighth overall. The latter development could make things rather interesting in Atlanta if Cousins doesn't look like his Minnesota self in his age-36 season ahead. The Falcons were undeterred by the Achilles' tear he suffered late last October, giving Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract with half the money guaranteed at signing.
Ray-Ray McCloud Ray-Ray McCloud Getting first-team looks Tue, Jun 25, 2024, 9:46 AM McCloud got first-team reps this spring and caught some passes from QB Kirk Cousins for big plays, ESPN.com's Marc Raimondi reports. Analysis: McCloud mostly served as a return specialist and fourth/fifth WR while playing for four different teams the past six seasons, but he got five starts and 66 targets with the Steelers back in 2021, catching 39 passes for 277 yards en route to a league-low 4.2 yards per target. He may now get another chance at significant snaps on offense, having signed in March with an Atlanta team that has Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore projected as the top three wide receivers. London and Mooney are locked in as starters, and tight end Kyle Pitts will get a significant target share, but Moore was a disappointment in Arizona and could now face competition from McCloud for a No. 3 role that would figure to entail a lot of screen passes, jet sweeps, etc. rather than downfield targets. The Falcons also have KhaDarel Hodge and Casey Washington as options if they want to go with a more traditional WR and not a vertically challenged YAC specialist like the 5-foot-7 Moore or 5-foot-9 McCloud.
Jase McClellan Jase McClellan Returns to practice Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 10:33 AM McClellan (foot) participated in practice Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: McClellan, a rookie sixth-round pick, missed roughly one month of spring activities due to a foot issue but now appears back to normal form. In that span, McClellan missed rookie minicamp and OTAs, so he may have some catching up to do in Atlanta's backfield, where Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are entrenched atop the depth chart.
Bijan Robinson Bijan Robinson Participating in OTAs Mon, Jun 3, 2024, 1:00 PM Robinson (ankle) participated in Monday's OTA, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: Robinson suffered an ankle injury during OTAs last month, but the running back's participation Monday indicates that it was a minor issue. As the 2024 season approaches, Robinson profiles as the lead option in an Atlanta backfield that also includes returnees Tyler Allgeier and Avery Williams, along with rookie sixth-rounder Jase McClellan (foot). In his first pro campaign, Robinson, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, recorded 214 carries for 976 yards and four TDs as well as 58 catches for 487 yards and four receiving scores in 17 games. His fantasy upside in 2024 is largely tied to how much work he yields to Allgeier, who logged 186 carries last season.
Avery Williams Avery Williams Participating in OTAs Wed, May 22, 2024, 4:02 PM Williams (knee) participated in Atlanta's OTAs on Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports. Analysis: Williams missed all of the Falcons' 2023 campaign due to a knee injury, but it now seems as if he's moved past the issue. Since entering the NFL in 2021, Williams has primarily been a return man, accumulating 445 punt return yards and 803 kick return yards across two seasons. Now that Williams has returned to the field, he's expected to compete for Atlanta's top punt and kick returner spot once again throughout the offseason.
Daylen Baldwin Daylen Baldwin Finds new opportunity Tue, May 21, 2024, 4:14 PM Baldwin signed a contract with the Falcons on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Baldwin earned the deal after a successful workout with the team. The Michigan product was waived by the Vikings on May 7 after spending the entirety of the 2023 campaign on their practice squad.
Bijan Robinson Bijan Robinson On track for minicamp Tue, May 21, 2024, 10:47 AM Robinson (ankle) is on schedule to be ready for the start of the veteran minicamp June 10, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: Robinson suffered an ankle injury during OTAs last Tuesday, but he's only dealing with a minor issue and will be back on the practice field June 10-12. In the meantime, Tyler Allgeier should take most of the starting reps in the backfield, while rookie Jase McClellan (foot) could benefit from expanded opportunities if he's able to get healthy before Robinson. With Kirk Cousins (Achilles) now at the helm of Atlanta's offense, Robinson will be a popular Year 2 breakout candidate in 2024 fantasy drafts.
Jase McClellan Jase McClellan Still dealing with foot issue Tue, May 14, 2024, 11:26 AM Coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday that McClellan (foot) will sit out practice due to injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Morris said the rookie sixth-round pick as well as Bijan Robinson (ankle), who is also tending to an injury, are both expected to be available for mandatory minicamp, as reported by D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It appears that McClellan is still not fully recovered from the foot injury that kept him from working out at either the NFL Combine or Alabama's Pro Day, but the Falcons expect him to be ready for practice sooner rather than later. He will need all the reps he can get to have any chance of carving out a notable role behind both Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
Bijan Robinson Bijan Robinson Tending to ankle injury Tue, May 14, 2024, 11:20 AM Coach Raheem Morris said Robinson will not participate in Tuesday's OTA practice due to an ankle injury, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: Morris said that Robinson is expected to be on the field for Atlanta's mandatory minicamp, as is rookie Jase McClellan (foot), who is also currently sidelined. The insinuation that Robinson's injury is only a minor issue is a relief, but the situation will still warrant monitoring until such time as the star running back is officially back on the field. Robinson could be primed for a Year 2 breakout with the arrival of Kirk Cousins (Achilles) promising an improved Falcons offense, but for the rest of OTAs, Tyler Allgeier could get a chance to handle the top backfield reps.
Ross Dwelley Ross Dwelley Finds new home in Atlanta Mon, May 13, 2024, 3:18 PM The Falcons signed Dwelley (ankle) on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: Dwelley finished last season on injured reserve after sustaining an ankle injury, but it now seems as if he's moved past the issue. After spending the first six seasons of his NFL career with the 49ers, the 29-year-old tight end has agreed to terms with the Falcons. Across his last three seasons, Dwelley has appeared in 41 games and made two starts, catching eight of his 12 targets for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his underwhelming offensive production, the San Diego product has been a consistent contributor on special teams (619 snaps over the last three years), and he's expected to compete for a similar role in Atlanta.
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.