Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
- NFC South
- Stadium
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Head Coach
- Arthur Smith
- Offensive Coordinator
- Dave Ragone
- Defensive Coordinator
- Dean Pees
- Special Teams Coach
- Marquice Williams
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage knows that his role has increased after the trade that sent Pro Bowler Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans. Gage will go from being the No. 3 wideout to the No. 2 behind Calvin Ridley. The sixth-rounder has seen his opportunities and production rise in each season since his rookie year in 2018. The 25-year-old had a career-high 72 catches for 786 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (eight starts) in 2020. In the seven games that Jones missed last year due to injury, Gage was targeted 45 times and caught 30 passes for 340 yards and two scores. Atlanta's offense is expected to use Gage in multiple spots throughout the season. With more opportunities and more production coming his way with Jones no longer around, Gage will be a nice WR4 target with upside.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (foot) recently underwent minor foot surgery from Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, Wisconsin, according to a source. The surgery was a minor cleanup. Ridley will not take part in minicamp, but he should be fine for training camp later this summer. It sounds like it won't impact his 2021 season at all, but it's worth keeping an eye on, especially now that Ridley is the team's unquestioned No. 1 receiver with Julio Jones now in Tennessee. The 26-year-old had a breakout season last year, catching 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games, and he'll only see more targets in 2021 with Jones now out of the picture. Ridley will be a high-end WR1 that will come off the board in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.
The Atlanta Falcons have discussed an offer of a future first-round draft pick in exchange for All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones, according to sources. The Falcons are asking teams that are inquiring about Jones for a first-round pick. Atlanta has had talks with the Tennessee Titans, but a source described the Titans chances of landing him as a "long shot." The 32-year-old pass-catcher requested a trade at the beginning of March, and the Falcons have been talking to other teams for weeks. They'd prefer not to trade him in the NFC but would do so for the right price. It's likely that he won't be traded until after June 1 because of salary cap benefits for the Falcons. The sixth overall pick in 2011 has led the NFL in receiving twice and has made seven Pro Bowls and has been selected as a first-team All-Pro twice. But Jones was limited to nine games due to injury in 2020 and had 51 catches for 771 yards and three touchdowns. His age and injuries remain a concern for fantasy managers, and his fantasy stock may fall if he's dealt to another team.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones requested a trade from the organization a few months ago, according to sources. The Falcons agreed to listen to offers and will continue to listen to offers. Jones said, "I'm out of there, man," when FOX Sports' Shannon Sharpe asked him if he'd like to be traded or remain in Atlanta. The Falcons are asking interested teams for a first-round pick in return for the All-Pro wideout, but some around the league don't think they will ultimately get a first-rounder for Jones. The 32-year-old wants a fresh start, but the acquiring team would have to have at least $15.3 million in available salary cap space to take on his contract. A trade isn't inevitable, but the perennial Pro Bowler could have a different uniform on in 2021. If he leaves, Calvin Ridley would be Atlanta's No. 1 pass-catcher.
The New England Patriots have had internal discussions about trading for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. Trade talks for Jones could intensify as June 2 approaches. That's when the Falcons could save more than $15 million against the salary cap by releasing or trading the 32-year-old. Jones played just nine games last year due to a hamstring injury, but before that he was a first- or second-team All-Pro in five straight seasons. He averaged 85.7 yards per game last year, and his career average of 95.5 yards per game is the best in NFL history. A Jones addition in New England would obviously boost an improved unit that includes Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. Jones moving to the Pats would be interesting, but the future Hall of Famer is far more safe in fantasy terms if he sticks with Atlanta and quarterback Matt Ryan.