Atlanta Falcons - NFFC | High Stakes Fantasy Football

Atlanta Falcons

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Tyler Allgeier Tyler Allgeier Could contribute early on Wed, May 4, 2022, 4:23 PM ESPN's Michael Rothstein suggests that Allgeier will have a chance to make an impact as a rookie in the wake of the team having let go Mike Davis. Analysis: The Falcons' running back depth chart is currently topped by Cordarrelle Patterson, a converted wideout, but there's an opportunity for Allgeier to carve out a key complementary role out of the gate, with the fifth-rounder's ability to generate yards after contact having caught the eye of coach Arthur Smith. Damien Williams and Qadree Ollison are also in Atlanta's backfield mix, but Smith adds that "the opportunity is there (for Allgeier). The running back room is wide open." With that in mind, Rothstein hints that it's possible that the BYU product could make a run at the team's Week 1 starting nod, but such an outcome would presumably hinge on the 5-foot-11, 224 pound Allgeier impressing the coaching staff this summer and/or injuries coming into play.
Tyler Allgeier Tyler Allgeier Moves up depth chart sans Davis Tue, May 3, 2022, 3:23 PM Allgeier will compete with Damien Williams and Qadree Ollison for touches after the release of Mike Davis, Josh Kendall of the Athletic reports. Analysis: Allgeier was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft in what was a surprising move given Atlanta also signed Williams and were returning a trio of running backs. However, the pick makes more sense after the dismissal of the veteran Davis. Cordarrelle Patterson likely will lead the backfield once again, but Williams, Allgeier and Ollison will likely all get opportunities throughout the season, especially if Atlanta opts for a run-heavy offense with Marcus Mariota at the helm.
Olamide Zaccheaus Olamide Zaccheaus Falls to No. 2 on depth chart Mon, May 2, 2022, 11:46 AM Zaccheaus will fall to No. 2 on the depth chart after the Falcons drafted Drake London with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Zaccheaus signed a $2.433 million RFA tender from the Falcons this offseason and was the de facto No. 1 wideout for awhile with Russell Gage leaving for Tampa Bay and Calvin Ridley suspended for the entire 2022 season. However, the landscape of Atlanta's wide receiver depth chart changed after its selection of London in the first round. Zaccheaus appeared in every game last season and finished with 31 catches on 53 targets for 406 yards and three touchdowns -- all career highs. Matt Ryan previously relied heavily on his runnings backs and tight ends, which impacted Zaccheaus' overall fantasy potential, and it's unlikely Marcus Mariota's passing attack changes things for the 5-foot-8 receiver, especially given London (ankle) and Kyle Pitts will garner the majority of targets for the foreseeable future.
Marcus Mariota Marcus Mariota Expected to open season as starter Mon, May 2, 2022, 11:30 AM Mariota is expected to be the Falcons' starting quarterback to start the 2022 regular season, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Mariota signed a two-year contract with the Falcons at the end of March and was the de facto starter with Matt Ryan off to Indianaplis for a third-round pick. However, Desmond Ridder fell to Atlanta in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, sparking speculation that perhaps the rookie could compete for the No. 1 spot, but after the draft coach Arthur Smith said, "With Marcus being the veteran, that's the way it'll go for now." Even with the loss of Calvin Ridley (suspension), Mariota likely will have strong expectations in his first season with Atlanta after they drafted pass catchers with top-10 overall picks in back-to-back years, but the Falcons offense now features a trio of dynamic playmakers in Drake London (ankle), Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Olamide Zaccheaus Olamide Zaccheaus Signs tender with Falcons Tue, Apr 19, 2022, 9:36 AM Zaccheaus signed his contract with the Falcons on Tuesday. Analysis: Previously a restricted free agent, Zaccheaus apparently was unable to find an offer that beat the $2.433 million RFA tender from the Falcons. He'd also have a hard time finding a better chance to earn snaps and targets, considering Russell Gage left for the divison-rival Bucs and Calvin Ridley is suspended for the entire 2022 season. The Falcons still figure to add more receivers before Week 1, but Zaccheaus could nonetheless be in the mix for a starting job, joined by a cast of journeymen that includes Damiere Byrd, KhaDarel Hodge and Auden Tate.
Anthony Firkser Anthony Firkser Signs with ATL Tue, Apr 12, 2022, 2:38 PM Firkser is signing with the Falcons, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Firkser spent the first four years of his career in Tennessee, where he started three of 58 regular-season games and caught 106 passes for 1,107 yards and five touchdowns. He showed some ability as a receiver but never earned consistent snaps/targets in a run-first offense. The 27-year-old Firkser now serves as depth behind fellow tight end Kyle Pitts, the clear favorite to lead Atlanta in targets this season.
Damiere Byrd Damiere Byrd Moving to Atlanta Fri, Apr 1, 2022, 2:56 PM The Falcons and Byrd agreed to a one-year contract Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Atlanta has lost Calvin Ridley to a season-long suspension and Russell Gage to the Buccaneers in free agency, leaving the team short of capable bodies at wide receiver. Olamide Zaccheaus is the most notable holdover, but he has just 54 catches and 90 targets in 38 games on his career ledger. Meanwhile, Byrd has averaged 12.3 YPC and 8.0 YPT on his 161 targets over the past three seasons. As the WR group stands at the moment, Byrd and Zaccheaus serve as the top two players at the position for new starting quarterback Marcus Mariota.
KhaDarel Hodge Khadarel Hodge Bolsters Falcons WR corps Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 3:06 PM The Falcons have signed Hodge to a one-year contract. Analysis: In 16 games with the Lions last season, the 27-year-old recorded 13 receptions on 27 targets for 157 yards. Hodge joins an Atlanta wideout corps currently headed by Olamide Zaccheaus, but the team is far from done in terms of adding depth at the position. With that in mind, it remains to be seen where Hodge settles into the equation for targets, but as things stand he should have an opportunity to compete for a role in the Falcons offense, which is now helmed by QB Marcus Mariota.
Marcus Mariota Marcus Mariota Replacing Matt Ryan in Atlanta Mon, Mar 21, 2022, 2:46 PM Mariota is signing a two-year contract with the Falcons, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: The contract was announced about one hour after the Falcons reached an agreement to trade Matt Ryan to Indianapolis for a third-round pick. Mariota thus stands a good chance to be Atlanta's Week 1 starter, though it won't come as much of a surprise if the team adds rookie competition during the upcoming NFL Draft. The 28-year-old QB reunites with Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who was the TEs coach in Tennessee throughout most of Mariota's time there. Smith's first year as offensive coordinator was 2019, the season in which Mariota was benched for Ryan Tannehill after Week 6. After two years with the Raiders in a backup role, Mariota joins a rebuilding Atlanta team that doesn't offer much pass-catching talent beyond second-year tight end Kyle Pitts.
Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Returning to Atlanta Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 11:50 AM Patterson signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Falcons on Saturday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Analysis: There was some concern Patterson's breakout season might price the Falcons out of re-signing the do-it-all threat, but the market for running backs never materialized, thus allowing the 31-year-old to return. The Falcons did add former Chiefs and Bears backup Damien Williams on a one-year deal, which theoretically could cut into Patterson's carries, but it's hard to imagine the former really impacting Patterson's targets given Williams is averaging 7.6 yards-per-catch across his entire career. Given Patterson has tallied a combined 1,455 yards and eight touchdowns across his previous four seasons, it's certainly fair to wonder if the veteran is simply a one-year wonder, but with little standing in the way from a depth chart perspective, Patterson at least appears to be the frontrunner to start next season.
Olamide Zaccheaus Olamide Zaccheaus Tendered by Atlanta Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 10:46 AM The Falcons tendered Zaccheaus at the right of first refusal level Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: The transaction sets Zaccheaus up for a $2.433 million salary in the 2022 season, unless any teams attempt to enter a bidding contest for his services. With Calvin Ridley (suspension) out for all of next season and Russell Gage on the move, Atlanta could scarce afford to part ways with a wideout already familiar with the offensive scheme. Zaccheaus, who has spent his entire NFL tenure with the Flacons since going undrafted out of Virginia back in 2019, logged a career-best 31-406-3 statline in 2021.
Calvin Ridley Calvin Ridley Suspended for 2022 season Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 2:47 PM The league announced Monday that Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: The NFL's statement indicates that the wideout bet on games last season during a five-day stretch in late November while he was away from the Falcons on the reserve/non-football illness list. Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, Ridley -- who last played on Oct. 24 -- is eligible for reinstatement Feb. 15, 2023. Ridley has three days to appeal the suspension.
Calvin Ridley Calvin Ridley Not in contact with team yet Sat, Jan 15, 2022, 12:23 PM Ridley, who did not play after Week 7 to focus on his mental health, has not contacted members of the Falcons' front office regarding plans for next season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Analysis: There's still very little information regarding Ridley's abrupt leave of absence from the Falcons and it doesn't seem as if the franchise or player has any intentions of accelerating the issue anytime soon. Garafolo even went on to say it's possible both sides could mutually seek a trade this offseason, though that's by no means something that has been confirmed by either party. The 2018 first-round pick had his $11.12 million fifth-year option exercised this past offseason, though it remains to be seen if that compensation would be fully guaranteed given that distinction is normally reserved for injury only. The 27-year-old finished the 2021 season with 31 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns across five games.
Parker Hesse Parker Hesse No targets in season finale Wed, Jan 12, 2022, 2:02 PM Hesse played 11 offensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints. Analysis: Hesse out-snapped fellow backup tight end Lee Smith eleven to four, but neither were a factor in the passing game. Hesse finished the 2021 campaign with five catches (six targets) for 43 yards across eight appearances. However, the majority of that production -- three catches for 31 yards -- came in Week 17, when he was filling in for Hayden Hurst -- who was out due to COVID-19 protocols. Hesse is under contract for the 2022 season, while Smith and Hurst are not, so if the Falcons don't add any tight ends during the offseason, Hesse could head into next season as the primary backup to Kyle Pitts.
Austin Trammell Austin Trammell Gets new deal Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 6:30 PM Trammell was signed to a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on Monday, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports. Analysis: Trammell spent most the season on the Falcons' practice squad, but he was with the active roster in Week 17 and 18. However, Trammell failed to tally any stats.
Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Non-factor in loss Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:43 AM Pitts caught two of five targets for eight yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints. Analysis: Pitts came into the contest listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury, but the rookie first-round pick was ultimately able to suit up. However, the tight end produced his worst performance of the season. He finished the 2021 campaign with 68 catches for 1,026 yards, but he only scored one touchdown. Pitts was as advertised during his first season in the NFL and was one of the lone bright spots on the Falcons' sporadic offense, but he will likely have to improve as a red zone threat in year 2 if he's going to takeover as a bona fide star.
Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Catches one pass Sunday Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:37 AM Hurst caught his only pass for 33 yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints. Analysis: Hurst (12 snaps) returned from a one-game absence due to COVID-19 protocols and split backup duties with Patrick Hesse (11), but the former was the only one targeted in the pass game. Despite only being targeted once, Hurst finished third on the team in receiving by recording the Falcons' longest offensive play of the game, setting up their first touchdown of the contest. In his second season with Atlanta, Hurst played in 13 games and recorded 26 receptions for 221 yards -- his lowest totals since his rookie year in Baltimore. After coming off a career-high season (56 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns), Hurst's fantasy upside was certainly negatively impacted by the emergence of rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, but Atlanta's whole offensive unit struggled to get going after Calvin Ridley (personal) left the team ahead of Week 8.
Olamide Zaccheaus Olamide Zaccheaus Catches three passes in loss Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:28 AM Zaccheaus caught all three of his targets for 47 yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints. Analysis: Zaccheaus finished second on the team in receiving yards behind Russell Gage (126), as Matt Ryan couldn't get on the same page with rookie tight end Kyle Pitts (two catches on five targets for eight yards). The third-year wideout finished the 2021 campaign with 31 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns, but he failed to take advantage of increased opportunities after Calvin Ridley (personal) left the team ahead of Week 8. Zaccheaus is set to become a free agent this offseason, but it's unclear what type of market he will draw, so a potential return to Atlanta certainly isn't out of the question, especially if Ridley isn't going to return in 2022.
Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Pedestrian in loss Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:21 AM Patterson ran four times for 11 yards and caught his only target for one yard during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints. Analysis: Patterson posted his worst fantasy performance in the final game of what has been a breakout campaign for the versatile veteran. He finished the 2021 campaign with 153 rushes for 618 yards and six touchdowns while adding 52 receptions for 548 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Patterson signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Falcons last offseason and will certainly garner interest from around the league after his career year.
Russell Gage Russell Gage Explosive performance in finale Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:08 AM Gage caught nine of 13 targets for 126 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints. Analysis: Gage posted his most receptions and yards since since Week 13 (11 catches for 130 yards) and caught his third touchdown of the season -- his first since Week 15. The 25-year-old slot receiver took over as Matt Ryan's favorite target when Calvin Ridley (personal) left the team in Week 7, registering 61 receptions for 742 yards and four touchdowns in the final 12 weeks of the season. The fourth-year pro is set to become a free agent this offseason and will likely garner interest around the league after registering 1,556 yards and eight touchdowns over his last two seasons (30 games).