Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Head Coach
- Dan Quinn
- Offensive Coordinator
- Dirk Koetter
- Defensive Coordinator
- Raheem Morris
- Special Teams Coach
- Ben Kotwica
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The Atlanta Falcons are planning to sign wide receiver Laquon Treadwell to an undisclosed deal on Sunday, according to a source. The 24-year-old was a first-round pick of the Vikings (23rd overall) in 2016 but disappointed with 65 catches for 701 yards and two touchdowns in 53 games (16 starts) over four seasons with the team. Treadwell will strictly be depth in Atlanta behind Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, so he's unlikely to have any fantasy appeal to begin the 2020 season in his new home. Expect him to compete for a spot on the final roster during training camp and the preseason.
The Atlanta Falcons and running back Todd Gurley II have agreed upon a one-year, $5 million contract, pending a physical. Gurley was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday but he wasn't looking for work for long. The 25-year-old running back will immediately slot in as the team's lead back, taking the place of recently-released Devonta Freeman. Gurley has been one of the best running backs in the league over his career but chronic knee issues have limited him over the past two seasons. The addition of Gurley gives Atlanta a powerful offense as he joins Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Calvin Ridley. Gurley, while not the player he was a few years ago, will see plenty of volume in Atlanta and should be treated as a low-end RB1 for 2020.
The Atlanta Falcons need a running back and have interest in trading for Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley II, but team sources say they can't afford the salary cap hit that a Gurley trade would bring. The ex-Georgia star's health is also an issue, and physicals are tough to schedule during the coronavirus pandemic. The Falcons would be on the hook for $13.05 million in 2020, $9 million in 2021, $10 million in 2022 and $12.45 million in 2023 if they were to acquire Gurley. Atlanta recently released Devonta Freeman, so running back is a priority for them with Brian Hill, Qadree Ollison and Ito Smith on the depth chart. Gurley's chronic knee issues make him more of a committee back moving forward, though, so he's unlikely to return RB1 over a full season again.
The Atlanta Falcons are signing pass-rusher Dante Fowler to a three-year, $48 million deal on Wednesday. Atlanta can use all the pass-rush help they can get, and the move reunites Fowler with head coach Dan Quinn, as the two worked together in college at Florida. The 25-year-old was excellent in his only full season with the Rams in 2019, recording a career-high 11.5 sacks, 58 tackles (40 solo), 16 tackles for loss, 16 QB hits, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 16 games (14 starts). Hopefully he can keep it going in his new home and remain on the IDP radar.
The Atlanta Falcons gave restricted free-agent running back Brian Hill an original-round tender on Tuesday after he was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. The team would receive a fifth-round pick as compensation if Hill were to sign with another team during free agency. The 24-year-old stepped in as the primary back last season with both Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith injured and finished with 109 carries for 517 yards and two rushing touchdowns. With Freeman already released, Hill figures to compete with Smith and Qadree Ollison for touches in Atlanta's backfield, although the Falcons could beef up the position through free agency or the draft.