This Date In Transactions History: Texans Trade QB T.J. Yates To Falcons
Seven years ago today, we had a rare June NFL trade. In a notable move (at the time), the Texans sent quarterback T.J. Yates to the Falcons for linebacker Akeem Dent. 
Houston had actually planned on releasing Yates, their 2011 fifth-round pick. The North Carolina product had failed to show much during his first three years in the NFL, throwing three touchdowns and six interceptions in 13 games. With coach Bill O’Brien deciding to roll with the trio of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, and Tom Savage, Yates was set to be released and hit free agency. However, once word of Yates’ impending release got around the NFL, teams started calling in on the young signal-caller.
Houston ended up landing on a deal with the Falcons, receiving the intriguing Dent in return. The 2011 third-round pick had looked solid during his stint in Atlanta, starting 10 games and compiling 136 tackles in three years. While the Georgia product failed to progress during his time in Houston, the trade still appears to be a win for the Texans. Dent collected 38 tackles and one sacks in 15 games (seven starts) during his first season in Houston, earning himself a two-year extension. However, over the next two seasons, Dent only managed to compile a combined 29 tackles and zero sacks and hasn’t appeared in the NFL since 2016.
Yates’ tenure with the Falcons was short-lived. The quarterback appeared in only a single game for the franchise, completing three of four passes for 64 yards and one interception. He was released by Atlanta prior to the 2015 season, and he ended up catching on again with… the Texans. Yates looked a bit better during his second (and third) stint in Houston, and he earned a chance to play in 2017 due to injuries. He finished the campaign having completed 48.5-percent of his passes for 523 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
In an interesting twist, the two ex-players signed on to join the Texans’ coaching staff on the same day in February of 2019. Neither player stayed on for the David Culley administration, but Yates now serves as a passing game specialist for the Falcons.
Falcons Sign Richie Grant
The Falcons have formally signed second-round pick Richie Grant. The safety out of UCF will earn $8.3MM on his four-year deal, including a $3.4MM signing bonus.
Atlanta inked both of its fourth-round picks on Thursday, taking care of business with center Drew Dalman and defensive back Darren Hall. Now, with Grant taken care of, first-round tight end Kyle Pitts stands as the last straggler. That shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Falcons, though the two sides may be haggling over some particulars like offset language.
The Falcons moved down from No. 35 overall to No. 40, scoring Grant and adding a fourth-round choice in the process. Grant notched 290 tackles, one sack, 17 passes defensed, ten interceptions, and five forced fumbles while on campus. At the pro level, he’ll be a part of the Falcons’ secondary reboot, with Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Ricardo Allen out of the picture.
If he’s able to pick up the playbook quickly, Grant could be the first safety off of the bench behind new starters Duron Harmon and Erik Harris.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/17/21
Here are the latest mid-round rookie signings from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Darren Hall (SDSU, fourth round)
- Signed: C Drew Dalman (Stanford, fourth round)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC, fourth round)
- Signed: LB Derrick Barnes (Purdue, fourth round)
Falcons OL Matt Gono Has Surgery
It sounds like the Falcons’ offensive line may have just taken a significant blow. Versatile offensive lineman Matt Gono has undergone surgery recently, a source told Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The source told Rothstein that the injury, which is undisclosed, “is not season ending.” That’s concerning, since the fact they felt the need to say it’s not season-ending likely means it’s a pretty serious injury. Details are light, but it sure seems like the implication is Gono might miss some significant time.
A 2018 UDFA from Wesley College, Gono has done well for himself. He established himself as the team’s swing tackle, and can also play guard. He made four starts last year, and the team thought highly enough of him to place a second-round restricted free agent tender on him this offseason.
That means he’s set to make around $3.3MM in 2021. Gono was seen by many as the favorite to be the team’s starting left guard this year after the Falcons cut James Carpenter earlier this offseason. We should know more on the situation soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/17/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL George Obinna, DL John Atkins
- Released: LB Alani Putuau, WR Greg Dortch, LB Jeff Holland, DL Eli Ankou
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL T.J. Wheatley Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Amara Darboh, WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
- Waived: P Max Duffy
- Waived/injured: OLB Natrez Patrick
Falcons Sign Shareef Miller
The Falcons have signed edge rusher Shareef Miller, according to agent David Canter (Twitter link). Originally a fourth-round Eagles pick, Miller has played in one regular-season game to date.
The Birds waived Miller last summer, leading him to the Panthers. He was later released, freeing him up to return to the Eagles as a practice squad player. The Cardinals inked him to a futures deal in January, but he became a free agent last week when he was dropped to make room for defensive tackle Xavier Williams.
Now, Miller will compete for a spot behind projected starters Dante Fowler and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. Jonathan Bullard, Barkevious Mingo, and fifth-round pick Ta’Quon Graham are also in the mix at defensive end.
Falcons To Sign WR Jeff Badet
Jeff Badet has found a new gig. The wideout has signed with the Falcons, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (via Twitter). Badet worked out for Atlanta earlier today.
Badet had a standout career at Kentucky, including a junior season where he hauled in 31 receptions for 670 yards and four touchdowns. Instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, the wideout decided to transfer to Oklahoma for his senior year, where he’d receive passes from the likes of Baker Mayfield and backup Kyler Murray. Badet’s numbers ended up going down during his lone season with the Sooners, and he went undrafted in 2018.
Badet spent most of his rookie season with the Vikings organization, but after getting cut prior to the 2019 campaign, the receiver declared for the XFL Draft. Badet ended up being the fourth skill player off the board, and he proceeded to haul in 16 receptions before the league folded.
The 26-year-old finally got to see the field for an NFL game this past season with Washington. Badet ultimately saw time on 21 offensive snaps for WFT.
Badet earned a name for himself thanks to his speed; he previously won the ’40 Yards of Gold contest,’ which intended to crown the NFL’s fastest player. The Falcons receivers depth chart is a bit uncertain behind Calvin Ridley, but Badet’s best chance of making the roster is probably as a return man.
Falcons Sign Five Draft Picks
The Falcons recently carved out some cap space via the Julio Jones trade, and they’re now starting to ink rookies to contracts. The team announced today that they’ve signed five draft picks to rookie deals: third-round offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield, fifth-round defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham, fifth-round linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji, fifth-round cornerback Avery Williams, and sixth-round wideout Frank Darby.
Mayfield, who was taken with the No. 68 pick, is naturally the most notable signing. The lineman appeared in 18 games through three seasons at Michigan, allowing only a pair of sacks. Mayfield put himself on the NFL map after helping guide the 2019 Michigan running game to more than 2,000 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.
Ogundeji is an intriguing prospect following a productive career at Notre Dame. The defensive lineman saw time in 43 games for the Irish, compiling 13 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 17 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, while Williams had a solid stint at Boise State as a defensive back, he was prolific on special teams, and he could immediately find himself as one of the Falcons’ key returners next season.
Following the five signings, the Falcons have four draft picks who remain unsigned:
- Round 1: No. 4 Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida)
- Round 2: No. 40 (from Broncos) S Richie Grant (Central Florida)
- Round 4: No. 108: Darren Hall, CB (SDSU)
- Round 4: No. 114 (from Broncos) Drew Dalman, C (Stanford)
Julio: Falcons Exit Was Mutual Decision
Julio Jones trade rumors first surfaced because the Falcons identified his contract as a way to create much-needed cap space, but later reports indicated the decorated receiver requested a trade out of Atlanta in March. Traded to the Titans for a package headlined by a second-round pick, Jones described his Falcons divorce as mutual.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/10/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Jeff Holland
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: S Kemah Siverand
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: OL Parker Ferguson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Reverted to IR: WR Trevon Grimes