Falcons sign two wide receivers to 90-man training camp roster, place OL Tyler Vrabel on reserve/retired list
The Atlanta Falcons announced multiple roster moves on Tuesday morning, signing wide receivers James Washington and Jesse Matthews. In corresponding moves, the team released wide receiver Isaiah Wooden and placed offensive lineman Tyler Vrabel on the reserve/retired list.
Washington is an experienced receiver with 114 career catches for 1,629 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns since entering the league in 2018. Matthews went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2023. After signing with the Houston Texans, Matthews suffered a torn ACL, ending his rookie season.
The Falcons signed two wide receivers Jesse Matthews and James Washington. In turn, Atlanta released rookie wide receiver Isaiah Wooden and placed offensive lineman Tyler Vrabel on the reserve/retired list.
The Houston Texans have placed undrafted rookie receiver Jesse Matthews on injured reserve.
The Houston Texans have placed another player on injured reserve.
The Texans announced Tuesday the placement of receiver Jesse Matthews on injured reserve. According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, Matthews tore his ACL.
The undrafted rookie from San Diego State was part of a group of developmental receivers that included Jared Wayne, Johnny Johnson, Jalen Camp, and Alex Bachman.
The 6-0, 190-pound wideout from San Diego State caught 45 passes for 508 yards and three touchdowns in his 13 games with the Aztecs last season, earning an honorable mention for all-Mountain West.
Matthews is the fifth player to land on the Texans’ injured reserve, including FB Troy Hairston, C Scott Quessenberry, OT D.J. Scaife, and OT Greg Little.
Former San Diego State wide receiver Jesse Matthews is preparing for an NFL career in the next few months.
Matthews marked his legacy as one of the greatest wide receivers in San Diego State’s history. Matthews’ story is one that aspiring college football and NFL players can look up to. In 2018, Matthews joined San Diego State’s program as a walk-on and earned a scholarship prior to the end of his redshirt freshman season in 2019.
Following his time at San Diego State, Matthews was amongst some of the greatest receivers in the program. He currently stands at 11th in receiving yards, seventh in receptions, and 12th in touchdowns in San Diego State history. He ended his San Diego State career with 174 catches, 2,109 receiving yards, and 15 receiving touchdowns.
With a strong collegiate career, Matthews is poised to be drafted in less than three weeks.
At San Diego State, Matthews proved to be the total package for the Aztecs. He was a factor as a route runner with an ability to break away from the secondary. Despite not being a large receiver, Matthews can be a red zone threat with his vertical ability. Matthews is a strong pass catcher with solid hands. What will help Matthews is his experience earning a spot as a team’s top wide receiver. When he joined San Diego State, he was a scout team wide receiver and he became one of the greatest wide receivers in the program. Matthews will be able to work diligently in training camp to earn a spot on a 53-man NFL roster.
Weaknesses
With a slight frame for a wide receiver, Matthews will have to overcome his physical limitations and average speed for a wide receiver. Defensive backs will be able to overpower Matthews and force him into breaking free with his route running. Defensive backs will be able to keep up with Matthews, which could close throwing windows much sooner in the NFL than Matthews was used to in the Mountain West.
NFL Comparison
Phillip Dorsett
Matthews and Dorsett have similar body types. Dorsett, who was a former first-round draft pick in 2015, was never a top receiving target for any of his six teams in the NFL. However, he was able to be a trusted No. 2 or No. 3 receiving option for several teams. Matthews could work his way into a role as a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 receiver. Matthews will need to work on his first step and beat defensive backs like Dorsett has done for eight seasons in the NFL. With his catching ability, Matthews can be a nice target like Dorsett in tight windows near the sidelines.
Draft Prediction
Similar to how his San Diego State career started, Matthews will need to fight to earn a roster spot in the NFL. If he is drafted, Matthews will almost certainly be a late Day 3 selection. Matthews will either be a seventh-round draft pick or an undrafted free agent. He could be a late-round or undrafted free agent who is remembered for defying the odds.
