The Falcons are adding Auden Tate to their wide receiver rebuild effort. The former Bengals pass catcher will head to Atlanta on a one-year deal, according to the team.
Tate is best known for his contributions during A.J. Green‘s full-season absence in 2019. Since, the former seventh-round pick has not seen much playing time. Green’s return capped Tate’s usage in 2020, and an injury prevented him from playing during much of Cincinnati’s AFC championship season.
The 6-foot-5 wideout caught 40 passes for 575 yards and a touchdown in 2019, joining Tyler Boyd as the top Bengals receivers with the team down Green and John Ross. With Green back in 2020 and Tee Higgins in the fold, Tate receded into the background and caught just 14 passes for 150 yards. The Florida State product ended both the 2020 and ’21 seasons on IR, reverting to the Bengals’ injured list late last season after returning to practice during the playoffs.
Just 25, Tate will join a Falcons receiving corps that will be without Calvin Ridley. Shortly after Ridley’s gambling suspension became known, top 2021 wideout Russell Gage defected to the Buccaneers in free agency. Atlanta will add more pieces to a position group currently fronted by Olamide Zaccheaus, but Tate is set to battle for playing time in the team’s first post-Matt Ryan receiving corps.
Always thought he’d be decent if given a starting gig. Great red zone threat.
#4-5 guy and a strong redzone threat. Will prob never give u much more than that. Which is fine, as long as u don’t expect more from him.