Atlanta

Falcons

“From conversations with both Patterson and [head coach Arthur] Smith throughout minicamp, it would seem both parties want to get back to Patterson’s 2021 role now that Smith has Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson at his disposal,” McElhaney said. C-Patt in 2021 caught 52 of 69 targets for 548 yards and five touchdowns -- totals that fell off dramatically in 2022 as he took on a larger rushing role in Atlanta’s conservative offense. Only five running backs had more targets than Patterson in 2021. It’s difficult to pinpoint where the veteran would fit in with Robinson and Allgeier in the backfield, though Patterson could find a fantasy-friendly role if either back missed time in 2023. NFL Network’s Eric Edholm believes Patterson could split pass-catching duties with Robinson in 2023.

Williams, Atlanta’s primary kick returner, injured his knee in OTAs and will probably miss the entire season, according to head coach Arthur Smith. Williams in 2022 had 22 rushes for 109 yards and a touchdown. He handled 34 punt and kick returns. The Falcons will need to find another returner for this season -- perhaps Cordarrelle Patterson.

Pitts hasn’t practiced while recovering from November MCL surgery. Atlanta plans to play it safe with Pitts, likely holding him out of team drills until training camp. Pitts, who also had a hamstring injury in addition to knee surgery, should be fully healthy in time for Week 1.

Huntley was seen walking without a boot, and he did catch passes off a Jugs machine after practice. His fantasy value in re-draft leagues was already dwindling because of the Achilles tear, and then the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson. He’s a deep-league stash at this point, and the Falcons are not very forthcoming with injury timetables.

He’s still rehabbing his MCL tear, though Arthur Smith has been adamant that all of his currently injured players will be ready when training camp starts. Pitts’ absence is ultimately not all that surprising. Pitts will remain a focal point of fantasy discussion this offseason as we try to find somebody, anybody, who can challenge for overall TE1 numbers. He has surgery on the MCL in November.

Firkser caught just nine passes in 11 games for the Falcons last season, deployed mostly as a a blocking tight end in Atlanta’s run-first offense. He managed 73 receptions and three touchdowns between 2020 and 2021 as a rotational player for the Titans. Entering his sixth NFL season, Firkser has a decent shot of making New England’s final roster if the team keeps three or four tight ends.

Per RapSheet, the Atlanta fullback paid a speeding ticket fine, informed the Falcons, and assumed the matter was over. He was then pulled over Wednesday for an expired registration and arrested for driving on a suspended license stemming from the previous incident. The Falcons were made aware of both incidents and have yet to provide additional comment.

Smith, a nine-year veteran, was recently re-signed by the Falcons on a one-year deal. The specifics of the charges remain unknown. The Falcons issued a statement acknowledging the legal matter but refrained from making any further comments. Smith’s role in the offense dwindled towards the end of the 2022 season as the team cut their 21-personnel usage in half after Week 9.

Guidry, entering his age-25 season in 2023, played in four games with the Raiders last year and mostly helped on special teams. He’ll fight for a roster spot as depth in the Jets secondary, and his special teams experience should help him out. This is Guidry’s second stint with New York.

Smith’s early usage of Robinson in minicamp lines up perfectly with his “more than a running back” quote after the draft. Robinson’s workload figures to be among the highest in the NFL during his rookie season, as Smith is already known for his run-heavy approach, and Robinson’s receiving skills were among the best in the draft. Fantasy managers have wasted little time in pushing Robinson to the top of draft boards. A near consensus first-round pick in offseason fantasy drafts, Robinson’s upside as a top-10 PPR back is all but locked in. His ceiling is that of the overall RB1 given his pass-catching upside and how it could be leaned on by a Falcons team that is relatively thin at receiver.