Fantasy Football News & Views
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QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news | FBG News Blogger Archive
Falcons | Takkarist McKinley goes under the knife Tue Jan 14, 11:39 PM
Atlanta Falcons DE Takkarist McKinley (shoulder) underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday, Jan. 14.
| Footballguys view: McKinley was shut down with this shoulder injury in mid-December of 2019. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, McKinley is more famous for dropping 'F' bombs on stage at the draft than he is for anything he's done on the field. He finished 2019 with just 3.5 sacks and 13 QB hits in 14 games. |
Takkarist McKinley player page
Falcons | Austin Hooper unlikely to be tagged Tue Jan 14, 07:09 PM
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent TE Austin Hooper likely will not receive the franchise tag this offseason, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure.
| Footballguys view: The Falcons are already paying a ton of money to skill position players like WR Julio Jones and RB Devonta Freeman (although Freeman might be released), so franchise-tagging Hooper does not make sense. Hooper appeared in 13 games in 2019, finishing with 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns. Hooper should be in line for a new contract that pays him around $8-9 million per year. |
Austin Hooper player page
Falcons | Devonta Freeman to be a cap casualty? Mon Jan 13, 09:48 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman will count $9.5 million against the 2020 salary cap and comes with $6 million in dead cap money. Releasing him would save $16.047 million over the remainder of his three years under contract.
| Footballguys view: Freeman just isn't the same player he used to be. In 2019, Freeman averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in 14 games. He finished the year with 656 rushing yards, 410 receiving yards and six total touchdowns. We should see him released and perhaps even brought back at a lower number. His best days are behind him but some team may want him as veteran depth if/when the Falcons let him go. |
Devonta Freeman player page
Falcons | Two players waived Mon Jan 13, 06:04 PM
Atlanta Falcons DT Ra'Shede Hageman (undisclosed) and TE Alex Gray (undisclosed) were waived from the Reserve/Injured list Monday, Jan. 13.
Link to storyRa'Shede Hageman player page
Falcons | Tosh Lupoi joins Atlanta coaching staff Sat Jan 11, 12:46 PM
Tosh Lupoi (Browns) was hired Saturday, Jan. 11, as the Atlanta Falcons defensive line/run-game coordinator.
Link to story Falcons | Mike Mularkey calls it a career Thu Jan 9, 02:04 PM
Atlanta Falcons tight ends coach Mike Mularkey announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Link to story Falcons | Jeff Ulbrich promoted Fri Jan 3, 01:57 AM
Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich was promoted to the role of assistant head coach on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Link to storyJeff Ulbrich player page
Falcons | Two Falcons coaches leaving Thu Jan 2, 10:23 AM
Atlanta Falcons passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson and assistant defensive line coach Travis Jones are leaving the organization.
Link to story Falcons | Atlanta signs Devin Gray Wed Jan 1, 01:01 AM
Atlanta Falcons WR Devin Gray signed a futures contract with the team on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Link to story Falcons | Five signed to futures contracts Mon Dec 30, 08:14 PM
Free-agent QB Danny Etling (Falcons), OG Lukayus McNeil (Falcons), TE Carson Meier (Falcons), CB C.J. Reavis (Falcons) and RB Craig Reynolds (Falcons) signed Reserve/Future contracts with the Atlanta Falcons Monday, Dec. 30. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Link to story Falcons | Week 17 final stats for Falcons Sun Dec 29, 04:53 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan finished up with 30-of-51 passes for 313 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. RB Devonta Freeman led the way with 18 rushes for 58 yards while adding two receptions for 15 yards. WR Julio Jones posted seven catches for a team-best 78 yards on 13 targets, while WR Russell Gage chipped in with seven grabs for 68 yards on 13 targets. TE Austin Hooper also checked in with seven receptions for 45 yards on nine targets. LB Deion Jones recorded a fumble recovery and a 27-yard interception return for touchdown in overtime.
| Footballguys view: The Falcons will keep the band together and if the offensive line stays healthy they could be a 2020 success story. Devonta Freeman could be a cap casualty, making the Falcons a possible landing spot for Kenyan Drake, Melvin Gordon or a high running back draft pick. |
Matt Ryan player page
Julio Jones player page
Devonta Freeman player page
Austin Hooper player page
Deion Jones player page
Falcons | Kendall Sheffield leaves game Sun Dec 29, 03:58 PM
Atlanta Falcons CB Kendall Sheffield (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during the Week 17 game and was ruled out.
Link to story Falcons | Week 17 Atlanta Falcons inactives Sun Dec 29, 11:39 AM
The Atlanta Falcons have declared DL Adrian Clayborn, LB Ahmad Thomas, OG Sean Harlow, OT Jamon Brown, OT John Wetzel, WR Brandon Powell and DB Chris Cooper inactive for Week 17.
Link to storyAdrian Clayborn player page
Falcons | Matt Ryan's contract adjusted Sat Dec 28, 04:42 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan had his contract restructured to convert some of his base salary for the 2020 season into a bonus paid out Friday, Dec. 27.
| Footballguys view: The Falcons moved around some money with DT Grady Jarrett too. These moves give the Falcons about $12 million more in salary cap space. Ryan is under contract through the 2023 season. |
Matt Ryan player page
Falcons | Julio Jones expected to play Fri Dec 27, 04:06 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (knee, shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 27, and is not on the injury report for Week 17.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Atlanta's Week 17 injury report Fri Dec 27, 03:32 PM
Atlanta Falcons OG Jamon Brown (illness) and DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) did not practice all week and have been ruled out for Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. WR Brandon Powell (wrist) did not practice Friday, Dec. 27, and has also been ruled out. DE Allen Bailey (hand) was limited in practice for a second straight day Friday but no longer appears on the injury report. S Ricardo Allen (shoulder, knee), RB Kenjon Barner (shoulder, hip) and WR Julio Jones (knee, shoulder) were all upgraded to a full practice Friday and have also been removed from the injury report. TE Jaeden Graham (knee), C Alex Mack (rest) and LB De'Vondre Campbell (personal) were not given a practice designation Friday but are expected to play.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Allen Bailey player page
Adrian Clayborn player page
Kenjon Barner player page
Ricardo Allen player page
De'Vondre Campbell player page
Falcons | Chris Cooper promoted Fri Dec 27, 02:41 PM
Atlanta Falcons CB Chris Cooper was elevated from the practice squad Friday, Dec. 27.
Link to story Falcons | ATL brass staying intact Fri Dec 27, 09:06 AM
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have been retained for the 2020 season and will report directly to Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay. Owner Arthur Blank will retain oversight of football operations, and McKay will report directly to him on all football matters.
| Footballguys view: The team beat San Francisco and New Orleans on the road in the second half of the year, which shows the level they were playing at after Quinn was reportedly on the hot seat. With better injury luck the Falcons should be right back in the playoff mix next year. |
Falcons | Raheem Morris promoted to DC Fri Dec 27, 09:05 AM
Atlanta Falcons secondary coach Raheem Morris has been named defensive coordinator, effective at the end of the 2019 season.
| Footballguys view: Morris has been part of the second half turnaround for the Falcons defense along with Jeff Ulbrich. The Falcons are choosing to try to carry over that success to next year instead of making larger changes. |
Falcons | Atlanta's Thursday injury report Thu Dec 26, 05:30 PM
Atlanta Falcons G Jamon Brown (illness), DE Adrian Clayborn (knee), C Alex Mack (non-injury) and LB De'Vondre Campbell (non-injury) didn't practice Thursday, Dec. 26. WR Brandon Powell (wrist), S Ricardo Allen (shoulder, knee), RB Kenjon Barner (shoulder, hip) and DE Allen Bailey (hand) were limited. TE Jaeden Graham (knee) was removed from the injury report.
Link to storyAllen Bailey player page
Adrian Clayborn player page
Kenjon Barner player page
Ricardo Allen player page
De'Vondre Campbell player page
Falcons | Julio Jones limited Thursday Thu Dec 26, 05:28 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (knee, shoulder) was upgraded to a limited participant at practice Thursday, Dec. 26.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Jordan Miller banned for four games Thu Dec 26, 04:58 PM
Atlanta Falcons CB Jordan Miller was suspended for four games Thursday, Dec. 26, for breaking the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.
Link to story Falcons | Julio Jones likely to be limited Thu Dec 26, 01:13 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (knee) is expected to be limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 26, head coach Dan Quinn said.
| Footballguys view: Jones is limited quite often during the week but then he goes out and performs at a high level on Sunday. If you're still playing fantasy football in Week 17, Jones has a great matchup against a weak Buccaneers secondary in the season finale. |
Julio Jones player page
Falcons | Wednesday practice for Falcons Wed Dec 25, 03:09 PM
Atlanta Falcons OG Jamon Brown (illness), DE Allen Bailey (hand) and DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 25. FS Ricardo Allen (knee, shoulder) and RB Kenjon Barner (hip, shoulder) were limited during practice. TE Jaeden Graham (knee) fully participated in practice.
Link to storyAllen Bailey player page
Adrian Clayborn player page
Kenjon Barner player page
Ricardo Allen player page
Falcons | Julio Jones does not practice Wed Dec 25, 02:54 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Atlanta signs Tavonn Salter Wed Dec 25, 12:32 AM
The Atlanta Falcons signed free agent WR Tavonn Salter to the practice squad on Monday, Dec. 23.
Link to story Falcons | Russell Gage has decent outing Sun Dec 22, 05:21 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Russell Gage Jr. caught five passes for 49 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He was targeted six times during the game.
Link to story Falcons | Seven receptions for Austin Hooper Sun Dec 22, 05:14 PM
Atlanta Falcons TE Austin Hooper caught seven passes for 82 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He was targeted nine times during the game.
| Footballguys view: Matt Ryan was hot early and the Jaguars defense was soft against the pass which allowed Hooper some room to roam. Hooper matured this year into a fantasy TE1. |
Austin Hooper player page
Falcons | Julio Jones continues terrific play Sun Dec 22, 05:08 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones caught 10 passes for 166 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He was targeted 15 times during the game.
| Footballguys view: Jones was a fantasy MVP the last two weeks and ended up paying off on his first round price tag. |
Julio Jones player page
Falcons | Devonta Freeman accounts for two TDs Sun Dec 22, 05:02 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman rushed for 53 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He also caught nine passes for 74 yards and one touchdown during the game.
| Footballguys view: Freeman is the most random Week 16 hit and most of it was in the books in the first half. The Jaguars defense has been one of the worst units in the league in the second half of the year and trusting them to be generous paid off. Freeman could be a cap cut this offseason due 6.5 million as he is clearly not the back he was when he was contract was signed in 2017. |
Devonta Freeman player page
Falcons | Brian Hill leads team in rushing Sun Dec 22, 04:56 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Brian Hill rushed for 66 yards on seven carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.
| Footballguys view: Hill could be in the backfield mix next year with Qadree Ollison if the Falcons decide to move on from Devonta Freeman, but they could also sign or draft a back to take over. He has only impressed against garbage time defenses. |
Brian Hill player page
Falcons | Matt Ryan throws for 384 yards Sun Dec 22, 04:49 PM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan went 32-for-45 for 384 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.
| Footballguys view: Ryan was only adequate for fantasy in a great matchup. The Falcons might have been doing enough to save Dan Quinn's job next year, with Dirk Koetter's status unclear. The arrow for the Falcons offense should be pointing up next year with better offensive line play. |
Matt Ryan player page
Falcons | Week 16 Atlanta Falcons inactives Sun Dec 22, 11:34 AM
The Atlanta Falcons have declared OG Sean Harlow, DE Austin Larkin, DT Deadrin Senat, OT Jamon Brown, OT John Wetzel, WR Brandon Powell and CB Jordan Miller inactive for Week 16.
Link to storyDeadrin Senat player page
Falcons | Austin Hooper to be busy? Fri Dec 20, 10:11 PM
Atlanta Falcons TE Austin Hooper faces the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, and the Jaguars are allowing the second-best passer rating (126.9) to opposing quarterbacks when targeting tight ends.
Link to storyAustin Hooper player page
Falcons | Julio Jones limited Friday Fri Dec 20, 04:30 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (shoulder) was limited during practice Friday, Dec. 20, but is not on the injury report for Week 16.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Week 16 injury report for Atlanta Fri Dec 20, 03:35 PM
Atlanta Falcons S Ricardo Allen (shoulder), LB Foyesade Oluokun (shoulder), WR Julio Jones (shoulder), RB Kenjon Barner (shoulder, knee), OG Jamon Brown (illness), TE Luke Stocker (hip) and DL Jack Crawford (thigh) were limited in practice Friday, Dec. 20, but have been removed from the injury report. OT Ty Sambrailo (hamstring) was upgraded to a full practice Friday and also no longer appears on the injury report. CB Isaiah Oliver (shoulder), PK Younghoe Koo (foot) and C Alex Mack (rest) were not given practice designations Friday but are all expected to play.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Luke Stocker player page
Kenjon Barner player page
Jack Crawford player page
Ricardo Allen player page
Isaiah Oliver player page
Foye Oluokun player page
Falcons | Atlanta parts with two Fri Dec 20, 03:26 PM
Atlanta Falcons LB Richie Brown (undisclosed) and CB Taveze Calhoun (undisclosed) were waived form the Reserve/Injured list Friday, Dec. 20.
Link to story Falcons | James Carpenter done for the year Fri Dec 20, 02:37 PM
Atlanta Falcons OG James Carpenter (concussion) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Friday, Dec. 20. OL Sean Harlow was elevated from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
Link to story Falcons | Thursday injuries for Atlanta Thu Dec 19, 06:38 PM
Atlanta Falcons G James Carpenter (concussion), G Jamon Brown (illness) and C Alex Mack (rest) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 19. DL Jack Crawford (thigh), TE Luke Stocker (hip), RB Kenjon Barner (shoulder, knee), OT Ty Sambrailo (hamstring), LB Foyesade Oluokun (shoulder) and S Ricardo Allen (shoulder) were limited. PK Younghoe Koo (foot) practiced in full. CB Isaiah Oliver (shoulder) was removed from the injury report.
Link to storyLuke Stocker player page
Kenjon Barner player page
Jack Crawford player page
Ricardo Allen player page
Isaiah Oliver player page
Foye Oluokun player page
Falcons | Julio Jones stays limited at practice Thu Dec 19, 06:35 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (shoulder) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday, Dec. 19.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Carroll Phillips signs with Atlanta Thu Dec 19, 01:04 AM
The Atlanta Falcons signed free agent LB Carroll Phillips (Redskins) to the practice squad on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Link to story Falcons | Wednesday practice report for Falcons Wed Dec 18, 06:42 PM
Atlanta Falcons RB Kenjon Barner (knee, shoulder), OG Jamon Brown (illness), TE Luke Stocker (hip) and DT Jack Crawford (thigh) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 18. PK Younghoe Koo (foot), FS Ricardo Allen (shoulder), LB Foyesade Oluokun (shoulder), OT Ty Sambrailo (hamstring) and OG James Carpenter (concussion) were limited during practice. CB Isaiah Oliver (shoulder) fully participated in practice.
Link to storyLuke Stocker player page
Kenjon Barner player page
Jack Crawford player page
Ricardo Allen player page
Isaiah Oliver player page
Foye Oluokun player page
Falcons | Julio Jones listed as limited Wed Dec 18, 06:37 PM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (shoulder) was limited during practice Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Takkarist McKinley goes on IR Tue Dec 17, 08:05 PM
Atlanta Falcons DE Takkarist McKinley (shoulder) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Dec. 17. DE Austin Larkin was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster in a corresponding move.
Link to storyTakkarist McKinley player page
Falcons | Foyesade Oluokun should be fine Mon Dec 16, 05:53 PM
Atlanta Falcons LB Foyesade Oluokun (shoulder) likely will be limited during practice this week because of a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 15 but should be available to play in Week 16.
Link to storyFoye Oluokun player page
Falcons | Takkarist McKinley to miss rest of season Mon Dec 16, 03:49 PM
Atlanta Falcons DE Takkarist McKinley (shoulder) will miss the rest of the 2019 season because of the shoulder injury he suffered during the Week 15 game.
Link to storyTakkarist McKinley player page
Falcons | Slow day for Austin Hooper Mon Dec 16, 01:52 AM
Atlanta Falcons TE Austin Hooper hauled in three of his six targets for 20 yards in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Link to storyAustin Hooper player page
Falcons | Julio Jones torches San Francisco Mon Dec 16, 01:01 AM
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones corralled 13 of his 20 targets - both season highs - for 134 yards and two touchdowns in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Link to storyJulio Jones player page
Falcons | Devonta Freeman totals 55 yards Mon Dec 16, 12:43 AM
Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman carried 12 times for 39 yards and added two receptions for 16 more yards in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Link to storyDevonta Freeman player page
Falcons | Matt Ryan gets it done late Mon Dec 16, 12:18 AM
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan went 25-of-39 for 210 yards and two touchdowns in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers. He also ran five times for 27 yards.
Link to storyMatt Ryan player page
