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Atlanta Falcons News & Rumors

Falcons Host Nick Kwiatkoski

May 5th, 2022 at 1:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

Veteran linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski may be close to finding his next NFL home. He met with the Falcons today, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). 

Kwiatkoski, who will be 29 by the start of the season, began his career with the Bears in 2016. He was drafted by then-general manager Ryan Pace, who has since been hired by the Falcons, in the fourth round that year. In four years in the Windy City, he totalled 184 tackles and six sacks while registering 22 starts.

That led him to the Raiders, who signed him to a three-year, $21MM deal in 2020. Kwiatkoski’s first year with the team was a productive one; he made a career-high 81 tackles, adding an interception and four pass breakups. He also started all 12 games he played in, logging a much higher snap percentage than he had in any previous year. However, he was limited to eight games in 2021 campaign due to an ankle injury.

The West Virginia product had his contract restructured twice by the Raiders, but it wasn’t enough to avoid his inclusion in the team’s numerous front seven changes this offseason. He was cut at the onset of free agency, leaving a dead cap charge of $5MM. That left him on the open market again, pointing him, eventually, to the Falcons. In Atlanta, he could help fill the void left by the departure of 2021 NFL tackle leader Foyesade Oluokun.

As Pelissero notes, however, Kwiatkoski does have two other visits scheduled. Whether with the Falcons or one of those clubs, he adds, Kwiatkoski “should sign somewhere soon”.

Falcons, Grady Jarrett Agree To Extension

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:28am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have agreed to a brand new deal with Grady Jarrett (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The defensive tackle has a fresh three-year extension that will pay up to $51MM and keep him under contract through the 2025 season.

Jarrett previously had one year to go on his deal, a four year, $68MM pact inked in 2019. That contract came with $42.5MM in guarantees and $38MM guaranteed at signing. This new deal furnishes Jarrett with a healthy $34.5MM locked in at signing.

The Falcons have now secured their standout interior lineman while tamping down their 2022 cap figure. That’s a big deal for Atlanta. Heading into today, they were in the bottom five of the NFL in cap room — ahead of the Titans, Cardinals, Patriots, and 49ers — and just $4.8MM under the max. The newfound cash will help them sign their rookie class and, perhaps, enable some veteran additions between now and September.

“I’m not going to predict that I 100 percent know,” head coach Arthur Smith said recently when asked about a potential Jarrett extension (via the team website). “He knows where we stand. We love Grady. We also know that players may have their own opinions, and that’s welcome. It’s part of doing business. We’ll see how it plays out. I love Grady and we’d love to keep coaching him.”

Jarrett, who just turned 29, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020. There was no Pro Bowl for him in 2021, but he did suit up for all 17 games while continuing his usually solid work as a run-stuffer.

2023 NFL Fifth-Year Option Results

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:17am CST by Zachary Links

Monday marked the deadline for NFL clubs to officially pick up their options on 2019 first-rounders. Fifth-year option seasons are no longer just guaranteed for injury — they’re now fully guaranteed, which makes these decisions a little tougher for teams.

Nineteen players had their options exercised, a tick up from 14 last year. Here’s the full rundown:

1. QB Kyler Murray, Cardinals – Exercised ($29.7MM)
2. DE Nick Bosa, 49ers: Exercised ($17.9MM)
3. DE Quinnen Williams, Jets: Exercised ($11.5MM)
4. DE Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: Declined ($11.5MM)
5. LB Devin White, Buccaneers: Exercised ($11.7MM)
6. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Declined ($22.4MM)
7. DE Josh Allen, Jaguars: Exercised ($11.5MM)
8. TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions: Exercised ($9.4MM)
9. DT Ed Oliver, Bills: Exercised ($10.8MM)
10. LB Devin Bush, Steelers: Declined ($10.9MM)
11. OT Jonah Williams, Bengals: Exercised ($12.6MM)
12. LB Rashan Gary, Packers: Exercised ($10.9MM)
13. DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: Exercised ($10.8MM)
14. G Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: Exercised ($13.2MM)
15. QB Dwayne Haskins:
16. DE Brian Burns, Panthers: Exercised ($16MM)
17. DT Dexter Lawrence, Giants: Exercised ($10.8MM)
18. C Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: Declined ($13.2MM)
19. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans: Exercised ($10.8MM)
20. TE Noah Fant, Seahawks: Exercised ($6.9MM; originally drafted by Broncos)
21. S Darnell Savage, Packers: Exercised ($7.9MM)
22. OT Andre Dillard, Eagles: Declined ($12.6MM)
23. OT Tytus Howard, Texans: Exercised ($13.2MM)
24. RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders: Declined ($8MM)
25. WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals: ($13.4MM; originally drafted by Ravens)
26. DE Montez Sweat, Commanders: Exercised ($11.5MM)
27. S Johnathan Abram, Raiders: Declined ($7.9MM)
28. DE Jerry Tillery, Chargers: Declined ($11.5MM)
29. DE L.J. Collier, Seahawks: Declined ($11.5MM)
30. CB Deandre Baker — N/A (released by Giants)
31. OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons: Declined ($13.2MM)
32. WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots: Declined ($12.4MM)

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/22

May 2nd, 2022 at 9:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans

Falcons Sign 13 UDFAs

May 2nd, 2022 at 8:49pm CST by Ben Levine

The Falcons announced the signing of 13 undrafted free agents:

  • Jared Bernhardt, WR (Ferris State)
  • Stanley Berryhill, WR (Arizona)
  • Kuony Deng, OLB (California)
  • Matt Hankins, CB (Iowa)
  • Brad Hawkins, S (Michigan)
  • Timothy Horne, DL (Kansas State)
  • Tyshaun James, WR (Central Connecticut)
  • Nathan Landman, ILB (Colorado)
  • Bryce Rodgers, DL (UC-Davis)
  • Derrick Tangelo, DL (Penn State)
  • Seth Vernon, P (Portland State)
  • Tyler Vrabel, OL (Boston College)
  • Leroy Watson, TE (UT-San Antonio)

“We keep talking about our scouting staff and our coaches and all the work that goes into it, and they really grind through this free agency process as well,” GM Terry Fontenot said right after the draft (via Scott Bair of the team’s website). “So I know we are going to continue to add some good football players. We’re excited.

“Once they get here, it doesn’t matter how they got here. It’s competition at every position.”

Derrick Tangelo got some significant money from the organization. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets that the defensive lineman got $55K guaranteed, including a $5K signing bonus. The rookie had 6.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in five seasons split between Duke and Penn State.

Falcons Exercise Chris Lindstrom’s Fifth-Year Option, Decline Kaleb McGary’s

May 2nd, 2022 at 1:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons are splitting the decisions on their 2019 first-round offensive linemen. In a pair of tweets, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Atlanta is picking up the fifth-year option on guard Chris Lindstrom, but declining to do so with tackle Kaleb McGary. 

Neither move is seen as much of a surprise. Lindstrom, the 14th overall selection and second offensive linemen to come off the board in that class, has started all 38 games he has played in. While that total includes only five games in his rookie season, he has improved from year to year so far. He was credited with just two penalties committed and zero sacks allowed by PFF, helping him earn a career-high 83.7 grade.

For McGary, who went 31st overall, the transition to the NFL hasn’t gone as smoothly. He has also logged plenty of snaps, starting 45 of 46 career games, but has had neither the immediate impact nor the upward trajectory of Lindstrom. His PFF grades have been in the low-to-mid-60s the past two seasons, and in 2021 he ranked 59th out of 83 qualifying tackles. He will head into this season unsure of his future with the team beyond that point.

By picking up Lindstrom’s option, Atlanta will have a key cog on the offensive line in place for at least two more seasons. As a Tier 3 player for financial purposes, he will earn just over $13.2MM in 2023. Given his level of play – and, to a lesser extent, the team’s lack of significant additions at the position in the draft – it would come as little surprise for a long-term deal to be on the horizon for him.

Falcons To Release Mike Davis

May 2nd, 2022 at 10:54am CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons are moving on from veteran running back Mike Davis. ESPN’s Michael Rothstein confirmed (on Twitter) Jordan Schultz’s original report that Atlanta is releasing him. 

Davis, 29, signed a two-year deal last offseason. That marked a homecoming for him, and the only multi-year contract the team handed out at the time. There was plenty of optimism for the journeyman to take on the starter’s role, given his impressive 2020 campaign in Carolina.

Filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, Davis found success as the Panthers’ No. 1 back that year. He rushed for 642 yards and six touchdowns, adding 373 yards and another two scores in the passing game. He was expected to carry a large workload in Atlanta, but his performance was more in line with his career averages. The South Carolina alum totalled 762 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns, staring only eight of 17 games.

The reason for his reduced role, of course, was the emergence of Cordarrelle Patterson as the Falcons’ lead back. His production both on the ground and in the air – not to mention the lack of guaranteed money on the second year of Davis’ deal – opened the door to this move being made.

By releasing Davis, the Falcons will save $2.5MM in cap space. He will look to catch on with what could be his sixth different team in the NFL. Atlanta, meanwhile, will move forward with Patterson, free agent signing Damien Williams and fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier in their backfield.

Falcons Draft Desmond Ridder At No. 74

April 29th, 2022 at 9:11pm CST by Ely Allen

The long wait for the second quarterback to be taken off the board is finally over as the Falcons selected Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round with the No. 74 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Ridder has produced every season as a four-year starter saving his best year for last. While he reduced his running a bit this past year, he’s shown his abilities in past seasons racking up 650 yards in 2019 and 12 rushing touchdowns in 2020. Perhaps most importantly, Ridder knows how to win, achieving a 44-7 record in four years as a Bearcat.

Ridder comes to a Falcons team that is looking forward to the next era at quarterback. After 13 years with Matt Ryan at the helm, the only players awaiting Ridder’s competition in the quarterbacks room in Atlanta are Marcus Mariota and Feleipe Franks.

Despite not being picked until the third round, Ridder has a very real chance to win the starting job behind center for the Falcons. With weapons like Kyle Pitts and newly drafted Drake London at his disposal, Ridder could see some early rookie fireworks lead to a long-term starting gig.

Falcons Trade Up To No. 38, Select DE Arnold Ebiketie

April 29th, 2022 at 6:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons have made a move up the board, but not to take one of the remaining quarterbacks. Atlanta is sending picks 43 and 114 to the Giants for No. 38, and are selecting defensive end Arnold Ebiketie.

One of the top remaining edge rushers, Ebiketie’s production took off over the past two seasons, a stretch which included his final year at Temple and his first – and only – at Penn State. After putting up 15.5 sacks with the Owls, he moved up in competition level but remained an effective speed rushing force. He posted 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss in 2021.

Ebiketie will add a much-needed boost to Atlanta’s pass rush. The team ranked dead last in the league in sacks last season, so he should have plenty of playing time right away. If his production translates to the NFL level, he could help the team’s defensive turnaround as they look to rebuild in the post-Matt Ryan era. Meanwhile, a QB still isn’t out of the question for them.

Draft Notes: Remaining QBs, Jets, Vikings, Burks, Johnson

April 29th, 2022 at 5:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the main storylines from last night’s first round was the fact that only one quarterback came off the board. The Steelers have their preferred choice in Kenny Pickett, but the other top options likely won’t have to wait long to hear their names called.

Jeff Howe of the Athletic reports (via Twitter) that “several teams” are trying to move up in the second round. As a result, there is “anticipation that a QB run could be on the way”. A number of teams could be interested in adding the likes of Malik Willis, Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder and Matt Corral as intriguing developmental options.

On that point, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer names the Titans, Falcons, Seahawks and Commanders as teams to watch for. He reports that “Ridder’s name has been consistently connected to Tennessee”, who now holds the 35th overall pick. The other teams have done significant work on signal-callers as well. Perhaps eyeing a passer, the Seahawks have made “exploratory calls” about moving up tonight, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (Twitter link).

Here are some other notes looking back on last night:

  • The Jets, as it has been reported, were willing to part with the No. 10 pick for Deebo Samuel. They almost made a different deal with that selection, though, as detailed by ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter). New York wanted to swap with Seattle for No. 9 to avoid a team leapfrogging them to select Garrett Wilson. Both teams were able to successfully stand pat, ultimately getting Charles Cross and Wilson, respectively.
  • Not long after the top-10 was complete, the Vikings ceded the 12th overall pick to the Lions. With their second first-rounder, Detroit selected Jameson Williams, who may have been the pick at that spot had Minnesota kept it. Breer reports that the Alabama receiver “was very much in play ” for the Vikings, who added Lewis Cine and two Day 2 picks as a result of the deal.
  • Another of the top receivers to be taken last night was Treylon Burks, whom the Titans selected as a replacement for A.J. Brown. When speaking to Pat McAfee, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Arkansas alum “was the guy Aaron Rodgers wanted” (video link). With him off the board, the Packers extended their streak of not using a Round 1 pick on a wideout, but he reports that they are a candidate to trade up for one tonight (video link).
  • One of the most surprising fallers on Thursday night was pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. Part of the reason he was still on the board for the Jets at No. 25, Breer notes, was poor interviews with teams in the pre-draft process. Thought by some as a top-10 pick, he ended up with the Jets anyway, and figures to serve as a notable boost to their pass rush.
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