Atlanta Falcons News

New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will compete with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for the starting QB job in 2026 in his first year in Atlanta, but Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul thinks his former signal-caller will win the job this summer, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "Him going into Atlanta now, he's got a new situation, a new environment, and I know he's going to go in there," Paul said on "The Set" podcast with Terron Armstead. "He's definitely going to win that spot." Tagovailoa, even though he's learning a new offense in a new location, should have a leg up on Penix after Penix suffered a season-ending knee injury that required surgery last year. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards in 2023 and was a Pro Bowler, but he threw for a career-worst 15 interceptions and was benched down the stretch last year before being cut by Miami in the offseason. Head injuries make Tagovailoa a huge risk in both superflex redraft leagues and dynasty formats, but with a potential head start in Atlanta's QB competition and with plenty of weapons on offense in his new situation, Tagovailoa makes for a buy-low target in dynasty leagues going into the 2026 season.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is carrying more quarterback uncertainty than most players going this early in fantasy drafts. The volume is hard to walk away from. He saw 112 targets in only 12 games last season, finishing with 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns after a 100-1,271-9 breakout in 2024. Atlanta added Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus, and third-round rookie Zachariah Branch, but those moves were about fixing the room around London. They were not about replacing him. He still had at least 40 more targets than any other Falcons wideout despite missing five games. The quarterback piece is messy. Michael Penix Jr. is working back from ACL surgery, and Tua Tagovailoa is pushing for the job. Either one comes with questions, but London has already earned heavy volume in different versions of this offense. His current ADP sits around the middle of Round 2, close to RotoBaller's WR7 valuation. There is risk at that price. There is also a path to another huge target total if he stays healthy, which is why London remains worth the gamble.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson already showed he can dominate fantasy without taking every backfield carry. Tyler Allgeier logged 143 attempts and scored eight rushing touchdowns last year, yet Robinson still led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage. His receiving line did a lot of the damage: 79 catches, 820 yards, and four scores, along with 1,478 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Atlanta replaced Allgeier with Brian Robinson Jr., a 225-pound downhill runner who can take some of the heavier inside work. That should not be confused with a threat to Bijan's passing-down role or overall standing. He handled 366 touches in 2025, and the new staff plans to keep the wide-zone base while adding gap concepts. A repeat of nearly 2,300 yards is unlikely, but Robinson does not need one to challenge for the overall RB1 finish. RotoBaller has him second overall in half-PPR and third in PPR. Both prices fit the workload and ceiling.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is hopeful that a change of scenery will help put his career back on track. The former first-round pick signed a one-year deal with the Falcons after being cut by the Miami Dolphins in March. The expectation is that Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will compete for the starting gig during training camp. According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Tagovailoa is the early favorite to win the starting job. Penix is working his way back from an ACL tear, so the Falcons might remain cautious with the young signal-caller early in the season. It wouldn't be shocking to see both quarterbacks get into action this season. If Tagovailoa wins the job, he'll likely only offer value as a second QB in superflex formats.

For Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr., 2025 marked the first time in his four-year career that he was able to suit up for all 17 games, but it was in a seldom-used change-of-pace role behind Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. In one of the stranger careers in recent history, Robinson has yet to top the 205 carries of his rookie season despite playing in only 12 games that year after being shot twice during an attempted robbery and carjacking. Clearly playing at less than full strength, he has since seen better efficiency in each subsequent season, but has never been given a full workload, first ceding carries to veterans Antonio Gibson and Austin Ekeler in Washington before landing as McCaffrey's primary backup in a year when the then-29-year-old led the league in touches. In signing a one-year deal with the Falcons, he finds himself backing up another bell cow running back in Bijan Robinson, who has not missed a game in his three-year career. While the incumbent Robinson has spent enough time split out wide to allow for his previous backup, Tyler Allgeier, to regularly see the field and maintain fantasy relevance, a new coaching regime in Atlanta could turn the backfield over to him entirely. Still, for the second year in a row, Robinson Jr. comes into the season as one of the NFL's most valuable insurance backs, draftable in 2026 leagues for that reason alone, while any standalone value he's able to provide in a new home and a new system should be seen as a bonus. He is currently RotoBaller's RB47.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson hasn't caught 50 passes in an NFL season, hasn't reached 20 receptions in either of the last two years, and has averaged just 380 receiving yards per season in his four years in the NFL with the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles after Washington took him 16th overall in the 2022 draft out of Penn State. He joined the Falcons this offseason on a two-year, $15 million deal, and while not much is expected of him, the 26-year-old pass-catcher has an opportunity in his new digs to become the WR2 behind Drake London. London is the only receiver on the roster who had more than seven catches in Atlanta in 2025. Dotson's rookie year in 2022 was his best, when he caught 35 of 61 targets for 523 yards and seven touchdowns in D.C. He's seen 31.5% of his career targets from the slot, but he may be asked to play more outside in Atlanta in new head coach Kevin Stefanski's offensive scheme. The speedy 5-foot-11, 184-pounder should be viewed as a deep sleeper in 2026 fantasy drafts, especially with the Falcons' quarterback situation unsettled going into training camp this summer.

After recording 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns across 14 games for the University of Georgia in 2025, wide receiver Zachariah Branch was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have a clear top two in their target pecking order in wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. However, Branch's top competition for the WR2 role behind London currently projects to be veteran wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson. Branch is clearly the highest upside option of the three and could be a significant piece of the Atlanta offense right away with a strong performance in training camp and the preseason. If Tua Tagovailoa opens the year as the Falcons QB1, Branch's ability to win from the slot could be a strong fit with Tagovailoa's preference to get the ball out quickly. As the WR70 by redraft ADP, Branch could be a sneaky sleeper for fantasy managers to target.

Tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. and the Atlanta Falcons agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday that includes $36 million fully guaranteed, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's the largest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history. Pitts gets a massive extension after breaking out for 88 receptions (118 targets) for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 17 starts in his fifth year in Atlanta. The former fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of Florida had 1,026 receiving yards in his first NFL season, but it came with just one touchdown, and he continued to disappoint fantasy managers the following three seasons with nine combined touchdown receptions in 44 games played. Pitts is now the third-highest-paid TE in the NFL behind George Kittle and Trey McBride in terms of annual average salary. While Pitts is a clear top-10 fantasy tight end going into 2026, fantasy managers who have been burned by him before recognize the bust potential, especially with the Falcons' uncertain QB position between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee).

With the Atlanta Falcons wrapping up the final session of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, it was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leading the first-team offense as the team worked on third-and-goal situations. Following his release from the Dolphins, Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, and as Michael Penix Jr. continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season, the seventh-year veteran has been given an early advantage in a battle expected to carry into training camp. The Falcons spent a first-round pick on Penix in the 2024 NFL Draft and face a critical decision about his fifth-year option following the 2026 season, so there is a belief that he'll be given every opportunity to claim the starting job once healthy, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski has long valued accuracy as one of the most important traits of the position. While Tagovailoa has completed exactly 68% of his passes since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2020, Penix ranked near the bottom of the league in on-target throw percentage in 2025. With a strong supporting cast of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, whoever claims the starting job could have fantasy viability throughout the year, and if that becomes Tagovailoa out of the gates, RotoBaller's QB30 could have early-season appeal as a streaming option.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee), who remains limited to seven-on-seven work at mandatory minicamp this week as he continues to rehab from a surgically repaired ACL, said that "the expectation" is for him to be ready for 11-on-11 team drills during training camp this summer, also he added that he'll need clearance from his doctor for that to happen, according to Will McFadden of the team's official website. McFadden writes that in anything movement-related, Penix has "looked sharp and shown no signs of discomfort." But the Falcons are taking a cautious approach with the former first-rounder. "Each and every day I'm trying to get better," Penix said after practice. "Doing whatever I can to help this team win football games, that's the ultimate goal." It sounds like Atlanta's true QB competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa won't come until Penix can do everything in training camp. The 26-year-old Penix is a major durability concern with a lengthy history of torn ACLs, and without a guaranteed starting job, his fantasy stock has fallen considerably heading into 2026 in both dynasty and redraft formats.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that wide receiver Drake London (undisclosed) is dealing with a small injury that the team is being cautious with, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. London could have practiced, but the team is "being careful." The Falcons must protect their investment after giving London a four-year, $141 million contract extension at the beginning of June. The 24-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2022 out of the University of Southern California should be fine for the start of training camp at the end of July, and he's the unquestioned WR1 for either quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. (knee) going into his fifth year in the NFL. London caught 68 of his 112 targets for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 starts in 2025 despite missing five games due to injury. He's a clear WR1 target in fantasy football drafts, and although better play at the QB position could unlock even more from London, managers cannot bank on that from either Tagaovailoa or Penix.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson put together an excellent season in 2025, recording a league-leading 2,298 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 366 touches across 17 games. The 24-year-old reached new heights as a receiver out of the backfield last season, hauling in 79 catches for 820 yards and four scores on 103 targets. Entering 2026, Robinson once again profiles as the focal point of the Falcons' offense. He may even see more chances as a goal-line rusher following the offseason departure of former Atlanta running back Tyler Allgeier, who logged eight rushing touchdowns in 2025. The Falcons' overall offensive ecosystem has major question marks thanks to the underwhelming quarterback quo of Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa. Still, Robinson has shown he can put up monster fantasy production without strong quarterback play in every season of his career to this point. As Robinson enters his age-24 season, dynasty contenders should value him as highly as any player in fantasy football.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) hasn't been cleared for 11-on-11 work yet at mandatory minicamp, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "He's exactly where he needs to be," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We will just continue to lean on medical and Mike." The Falcons like where Penix is at in his rehab from a torn ACL in his left knee last year, but they aren't rushing the 26-year-old back. Newcomer Tua Tagovailoa has gotten a head start on Penix during offseason workouts as he learns a new offense in Atlanta, but the Falcons don't appear ready to officially open up their QB competition this offseason until Penix is fully cleared to resume team drills in training camp this summer. With all that said, Penix isn't a lock to be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July, which would certainly put him behind the eight ball as he looks to regain the starting job under center going into the 2026 regular season. At best, the injury-prone Penix, who has torn his ACL three times dating back to college, will be a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues this year if he's named the starter. Whoever wins the Falcons' QB job will be on a short leash.

When asked if quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be cleared for 11-on-11 team drills during mandatory minicamp, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see." Penix is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last November, and the longer he is held out of team drills, the more former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will gain a leg up in the QB competition this summer. Stefanski is on record saying that he thinks accuracy is the most important trait for a signal-caller, and for all of his faults, Tagovailoa has historically been great in that area -- he led the league in 2024 with a 72.9% completion percentage. A lot can still happen between now and Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, but it is clear that Tagovailoa has a head start over the injured Penix in a new offensive scheme in Atlanta this year. Whoever wins the QB job for the Falcons to begin the season probably isn't going to have a very long leash, so they should be considered a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues. Penix, specifically, has seen his dynasty/keeper stock tumble dramatically since last year after yet another torn ACL in his knee.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. finished as 2025's TE2, and while much of the heavy lifting was done in an 11-catch, three-touchdown outing that went down as one of the most productive tight end games in NFL history, there is optimism that his role in Kevin Stefanski's tight end-friendly offense could help to deliver more consistent week-winning performances. His career year came while running his most routes since entering the NFL, and with Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees deploying the league's highest rate of 12-personnel usage in their final season in Cleveland, Pitts should benefit from some of the same looks that allowed Harold Fannin Jr. to reach triple-digit targets as a rookie. Entering his sixth season, Pitts is remarkably still just 25 years old, and with some fantasy managers long over waiting for the true breakout that has been predicted since 2021, he has become a potential bargain at RotoBaller's dynasty TE8.

After recording 92 carries for 400 yards and two touchdowns across 17 games with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, veteran running back Brian Robinson Jr. is entering his first season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2026. Robinson Jr. offered little standalone appeal to fantasy managers last season, as he spent the year in a backup role behind 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey. Ironically, Robinson Jr. finds himself in a very similar situation in Atlanta behind Falcons back Bijan Robinson. There may be slightly more opportunity available to Robinson Jr. this season, as former Falcons back Tyler Allgeier collected eight touchdowns while playing alongside Bijan in 2025. Still, his greatest value to fantasy managers is as a handcuff option. Should Robinson suffer an injury, Robinson Jr. would profile as the clear lead back in Atlanta. He remains stash-worthy in dynasty formats entering 2026.

After spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is entering his first season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2026. Tagovailoa battled through a brutal season with the Dolphins in 2025, throwing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 games. The 28-year-old now finds himself in a battle with fellow Falcons signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for the team's QB1 role. Penix Jr. is working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season, which could give Tagovailoa the leg up entering training camp. Tagovailoa has put together productive NFL seasons in the past, throwing for a league-leading 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns across 17 games in 2023. The Falcons will also put a solid offensive line in front of him and have a trio of talented pass-catchers in wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., and running back Bijan Robinson. Tagovailoa's fantasy ceiling is capped, but a mid-career resurgence is not out of the question if he can win the starting job in Atlanta. Particularly in two-quarterback formats, dynasty managers may want to consider buying low on Tagovailoa.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is getting closer to participating in 11-on-11 drills during offseason workouts, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Penix is still not ready to be a full-go in offseason practices after having surgery in the middle of November last year to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee. With Penix struggling as the full-time starting QB in 2025 before tearing his ACL, the Falcons went out and signed former Miami Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa to give them insurance at the position. Although Penix, the former eighth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Washington, is expected to compete for the starting QB job in training camp this summer, he could be fighting an uphill battle at this point. The good news is that Penix took part in seven-on-seven drills during OTAs, and he could be a full-go for practices by the time camp starts at the end of July. Still, there's no guarantee Penix will be starting games in 2026, even if he's fully recovered from knee surgery this summer.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson earned first-team All-Pro honors for his work in 2025, as he finished the year with a league-leading 2,298 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 366 touches across 17 games. Robinson had his most efficient year as a rusher (5.1 yards per carry) while also setting career-highs in targets (103), receptions (79), and receiving yards (820). Entering 2026, Robinson could be in the best touchdown-scoring position of his career following the offseason departure of former Falcons back Tyler Allgeier, who collected eight rushing touchdowns in a goal-line role in 2025. The overall offensive environment around Robinson in Atlanta remains questionable, as neither Michael Penix Jr. (knee) nor Tua Tagovailoa projects to provide the Falcons with above-average quarterback play. Still, both signal-callers should lean heavily on Robinson in all aspects of the game. As he enters his age-24 season and the prime of his career, Robinson has a compelling case to be valued as the number one overall player in dynasty formats.

Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who was the 79th overall pick in the third round of this year's draft out of the University of Georgia, has been quickly learning the team's offense and building chemistry with his teammates in OTAs this offseason, according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. The 22-year-old proved to be one of college's most explosive playmakers in 2025 with the Bulldogs, leading the SEC with 81 catches and gaining 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 14 games played. He has drawn the attention of new quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who played with two elite speed receivers in Miami in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. "I mean, dude's fast," Tagovailoa said. "Dude can play very shifty. Kind of reminds me of Waddle." Branch caught 159 passes for 1,634 yards and nine touchdowns in his three collegiate seasons (two at USC), and he did most of his damage after he already secured the football. He was targeted 96 times and caught 92 passes behind the line of scrimmage in college. Speed is not in question with Branch, but his durability at 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, and his role in his rookie season are up for debate. Expect him to compete with Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson for the WR2 role in Atlanta in 2026 behind WR1 Drake London.