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Articles by KhaDarel Hodge
2023 Dynasty Fantasy Football Free Agency Preview: Atlanta Falcons
The formula used to be that you make sure you get your franchise quarterback and then you build the team around that. But a new trend has emerged where teams seem to just be drafting the best player available to accumulate pieces before figuring out quarterback on the fly. Some teams get lucky with a rookie quarterback, others have had success bringing in veterans like Tom Brady or Matthew Stafford. The Jets are an example of a team that have built a complete team now but need a veteran QB.
Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Wide Receiver
Unlike our two previous editions, this position has some movement. Wide receiver is an area that REALLY needs an overhaul, especially after trading Calvin Ridley. Outside of Drake London, there isn’t much here. Will the Falcons consider keeping some of their own impending free agents? I think so, but how many will be the question. There are also some talented wideouts that could be available later in the draft. All estimations are via Over The Cap.
Cover 9@9: Falcons’ defense needs to step up
To do that, the defense must stop the run against the Bears, and they’ll need Terrell back by the Washington game because they’ll need an answer for wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The Steelers look like easy pickings these days. Smith has noted on a few occasions that the Patriots reached the Super Bowl with the 31st-ranked defense in yards allowed. They lost to the Giants in Super Bowl 46. The Patriots were a clear outlier.
NFL DFS Showdown: Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle in Falcons-Panthers
Our Lineup Optimizer is an incredibly powerful tool inside our Player Models, particularly when creating a large number of lineups. However, it’s just that — a tool. We still have to make decisions. Otherwise, everyone would have the same 150 lineups in each contest. This is intended more as a teaching piece than a step-by-step guide. These rules are suggestions that can show you how to translate your read on this game into lineups.
Cover 9@9: Here’s the Falcons’ midterm report card
Pass defense: The Falcons’ secondary has been hit hard by injuries, and the team is giving up 306.9 yards per game passing, which ranks last in the league. The Falcons have seven players with interceptions. The Falcons have 19 sacks this season, which is tied for 13th in the league with four other teams. Dallas, which is coordinated by former Falcons coach Dan Quinn, leads the league with 33 sacks. The Falcons must cut down the yards after the catch.
Cover 9@9: Will the Falcons be active at the trade deadline?
“Somebody gives you an offer you can’t refuse, deal with Don Corleone, then you listen, but it just depends on what situation shows up, but those guys, I think it’s pretty standard operating procedure,” Smith said. The Falcons already have made a trade. They sent former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones to Cleveland on Oct. 9. The Falcons sent Jones and a seventh-round pick in 2024 to the Browns for their 2024 sixth-round pick.
Cover 9@9: The revamping of the Falcons’ linebacking corps
Oluokun left in free agency and signed with the Jaguars. Fowler was cut, and Means was not re-signed. Fowler signed with the Cowboys and has played 112 defensive snaps (33%) and has two sacks through five games. Means has played in two games with the Ravens. “It’s the way that it goes in pro sports, really any team, whether it’s in youth football or high school to college,” Smith said. “Change is constant.
Cover 9@9: Falcons’ injured-reserve decisions to come
1. The no-spin zone: The Falcons have several players who are eligible to come off of short-term injured reserve. After placing Cordarrelle Patterson on injured reserve, the Falcons have nine players on the list.
Falcons release official depth chart for game vs. Buccaneers
FLOWERY BRANCH -- With running back Cordarrelle Patterson placed on injured reserve, rookie running back Tyler Allgeier ascended to the No. 1 spot on the official depth chart for the Tampa Bay game, which was released by the team Tuesday. Caleb Huntley, who was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad, is listed as the No. 3 running back behind Allgeier and Avery Williams.
Cover 9@9: Falcons’ pass rush trending upward
1. The no-spin zone: One of the Falcons’ major offseason projects was to create a pass rush. The Falcons switched out all of their outside linebackers and were hoping that either Ta’Quon Graham or Marlon Davidson would step forward at the defensive end spot opposite of Grady Jarrett to give them a better interior push. Through three games, the pass rush has shown signs of marked improvement.
Falcons release official depth chart for game vs. Browns
FLOWERY BRANCH — Wide receiver Bryan Edwards and left guard Elijah Wilkinson, who did not play Sunday against Seattle, retained their spots on the official depth chart released by the Falcons on Tuesday. Edwards was inactive for the game, and Wilkinson was tending to a personal matter and was excused. The Falcons took four tight ends into the game Sunday.
Falcons release official depth chart for Seahawks’ game
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- With running back Damien Williams placed on injured reserve last week, rookie Tyler Allgeier was moved up to the No. 2 spot on the official depth chart released by the Falcons on Tuesday. “Tyler Allgeier, he had 10 carries (Sunday at the Rams),” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “I thought he ran well, and he’s becoming very dependable in protection.” ExploreMore AJC coverage of the Falcons The Falcons (0-2) are set to play the Seahawks (1-1) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday at Lumen Field.
Falcons release official depth chart for Rams’ game
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons signed tight end Anthony Firkser to their 53-man roster and placed him third at tight end on the official depth chart the team released Tuesday. Also, running back Cordarrelle Patterson was listed as the team’s top kickoff returner.
LOOK: Falcons Release Offense Depth Chart Ahead of Week 1 vs. Saints - Surprises? Original
The Atlanta Falcons are phasing out of training camp and into preparation for Sunday's season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Ahead of the team's game this weekend, head coach Arthur Smith and the Falcons released their initial depth chart ahead of the game. Here's a look at the offensive depth chart ...
Dueling 53-man roster projections, Part I: The offense
Everybody does a 53-man projection these days. Ours, however, comes with a twist. One that exposes Tori and I (This is Scott, btw. And, hi.) to some good-natured, well-meaning flak from the other person. RELATED CONTENT: One of us makes the projection, the other dissects it. Tori picked the offense this time and I made some (in my opinion) witty comments about her selections. I picked the defense, which you'll see later on Monday, and she offers a rebuttal.
Five position battle updates: Quarterback, offensive line, edge rushers and more
Offensive line Standouts: Jake Matthews, Elijah Wilkinson, Drew Dalman, Matt Hennessy, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary Depth pieces: Jalen Mayfield, Ryan Neuzil, Colby Gossett, Rick Leonard, Germain Ifedi, Justin Shaffer Biggest question: Who will earn the starting center spot? A consistent occurrence throughout camp has been the daily rotation of Dalman and Hennessy as the first-team center. One day, it's Dalman taking those would-be starting reps. The next? It's Hennessy's turn.
Team Report, Atlanta Falcons
July 11, 2022 Photo: , USA Today Sports 2022 Team Reports Arizona | Atlanta | Baltimore | Buffalo | Carolina | Chicago | Cincinnati | Cleveland | Dallas | Denver | Detroit | Green Bay | Houston | Indianapolis | Jacksonville | Kansas City | Las Vegas | LA Chargers | LA Rams | Miami | Minnesota | New England | New Orleans | NY Giants | NY Jets | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | San Francisco | Seattle | Tampa Bay | Tennessee | Washington Atlanta Falcons Writers To report an error or to get...
What we learned on Day 1 of Falcons mandatory minicamp
We take an inside look at the decision to withhold Cordarrelle Patterson through OTAs. Tori McElhaney Arthur Smith was very clear on Tuesday afternoon that the decision to hold Cordarrelle Patterson back was the head coach's to make. In the days leading up to the Falcons first mandatory minicamp practice this week, Patterson's return to Atlanta for offseason workouts was a hot topic.
What we learned on Day 1 of Falcons mandatory minicamp
Arthur Smith was very clear on Tuesday afternoon that the decision to hold Cordarrelle Patterson back was the head coach's to make. In the days leading up to the Falcons first mandatory minicamp practice this week, Patterson's return to Atlanta for offseason workouts was a hot topic.
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