Falcons re-sign DL Kentavius Street to one-year deal

The Falcons have re-signed defensive lineman Kentavius Street, the team announced on Monday

After several pieces on offense over the last week, the Atlanta Falcons have finally made their first defensive signing of the new league year. On Monday afternoon, the team re-signed defensive lineman Kentavius Street to a one-year deal.

The 27-year-old appeared in five games for the Falcons last season, recording 14 total tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Street was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

After three years with the 49ers, Street spent one season with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

Falcons announce deal with free-agent KR Ray-Ray McCloud

The Falcons have officially signed free-agent WR Ray-Ray McCloud to a 2-year contract

The Atlanta Falcons have a new return specialist, signing former 49ers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal, the team announced on Monday afternoon. McCloud’s contract is worth a reported $6 million over two seasons.

The 27-year-old was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft and spent the last two years with the 49ers. McCloud returned both kicks and punts in San Francisco and figures to do the same in Atlanta this season.

McCloud’s signing likely explains why Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson said goodbye to fans in Atlanta last week. Patterson served as the team’s kick returner for the last few seasons but he has yet to be re-signed by the Falcons. 

 

Ex-Falcons WR Van Jefferson signing with Pittsburgh Steelers

Ex-Falcons WR Van Jefferson is joining Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh, signing a one-year deal with the Steelers on Friday

Former Falcons wide receiver Van Jefferson has found a new home, signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team reported on Friday evening. Atlanta acquired Jefferson in a trade with the Rams early in the 2023 season.

The 27-year-old will reunite with former Falcons head coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh.

Jefferson appeared in 12 games for the Falcons last season, recording 12 catches for 101 receiving yards. The Rams drafted Jefferson in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft out of the University of Florida.

The Steelers will look to revamp their offense under Smith and quarterback Russell Wilson in 2024. Pittsburgh traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, marking the third QB from the 2022 draft class to be moved in the last 24 hours.

Atlanta shipped Desmond Ridder to Arizona in exchange for slot receiver Rondale Moore. The Falcons also signed free agents Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud. Stay up to date with each transaction using our 2024 free agency tracker.

Falcons finalize contract with free-agent WR Darnell Mooney

The Falcons officially signed free-agent WR Darnell Mooney to a three-year deal on Friday

The Atlanta Falcons have a new No. 2 wide receiver after signing Darnell Mooney to a three-year, $39 million contract. Mooney, 26, gives the team a legitimate deep threat on the outside, which should help open things up for players like Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson.

Mooney topped 1,000 receiving yards once in his four seasons but he’s arguably a better fit in Atlanta than he was in Chicago. The speedy wideout officially signed his contract with the Falcons on Friday, the team announced on Twitter.

The Falcons have made a few other changes on offense, trading away quarterback Desmond Ridder for Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore on Thursday. Ridder started 13 games for Atlanta in 2023 and now he becomes Kyler Murray’s backup in Arizona.

Mooney and Moore bring depth to one of the team’s thinnest positions and both players should play important roles on offense this season.

Falcons stabilize offense with early free-agent signings

The Atlanta Falcons have stabilized their offense with early free-agent signings

The Atlanta Falcons haven’t been the most active team in free agency thus far, but the moves that they did make could propel them to the top of their division. Going into the signing period, the team needed to address the quarterback position above all the rest.

Atlanta was so aggressive in pursuing free agent Kirk Cousins that the NFL is currently investigating the team for tampering. All offseason, we heard the Falcons were likely to pursue Cousins, Justin Fields, or one of the many quarterbacks in this year’s draft class.

Walking away with Cousins sets the team up for success next season, and signing wide receiver Darnell Mooney allows the Falcons to take the best player available with the eighth overall pick.

While Mooney was somewhat underutilized in Chicago, he adds some much-needed speed on the outside. Atlanta also sent quarterback Desmond Ridder to Arizona in exchange for slot receiver Rondale Moore.

Both receivers complement the team’s existing talent and should help the offense become a more well-rounded unit. The defense still needs some work, especially at the cornerback and edge-rusher positions.

The Falcons were already the betting favorite to win the NFC South in 2024 before signing Cousins, but their recent moves should be enough to put them over the top in head coach Raheem Morris’ first season.

Atlanta Falcons salary cap hits for each player in 2024

Looking at individual salary cap hits for every #Falcons player under contract in 2024

The Atlanta Falcons finally addressed the quarterback position, signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract on the opening day of free agency. Cousins is now the highest-paid player on the team while last year’s starter, Desmond Ridder, has been traded to the Cardinals.

According to Over The Cap‘s projections, Atlanta still has over $4 million in cap space remaining. Here’s a look at the individual salary cap hits for each player on the roster, including Kirk Cousins, Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney.

Calvin Ridley trade officially nets Falcons a 3rd-round draft pick

Since the Jaguars did not re-sign WR Calvin Ridley, the Falcons’ conditional pick is officially a third-rounder (No .79 overall)

The 2024 NFL league year began at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday and free agents can now sign contracts with any team for the upcoming season. For the Atlanta Falcons, this is both a good thing and a bad thing.

On the bright side, the team added key free agents, including quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Darnell Mooney. However, since the Jacksonville Jaguars did not re-sign former Falcons WR Calvin Ridley, Atlanta’s 2024 compensatory pick is officially a third-rounder (No .79 overall).

If Ridley had re-signed with the Jaguars before Wednesday’s deadline, the Falcons would have received a second-round pick instead. Jacksonville can still re-sign Ridley, but it wouldn’t impact the compensatory pick because it’s not technically an extension.

Therefore, any deal between the two was unlikely to happen prior to March 13. Ridley did help the Falcons by hitting certain milestones in 2023. He topped 1,000 receiving yards and 75 catches, which secured Atlanta a third-round pick.

The Falcons originally selected Ridley in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft out of Alabama. The 29-year-old is still talking to the Jaguars, and the Patriots are reportedly targeting him as well.