Atlanta signed Thomas to a contract Thursday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Thomas spent the 2023 season on the Browns' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. The 2018 sixth-round pick last played in 2020 with the Cardinals and Patriots, when he appeared in six regular-season games between the two teams.
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Atlanta signed Thomas to a contract Thursday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Thomas spent the 2023 season on the Browns' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. The 2018 sixth-round pick last played in 2020 with the Cardinals and Patriots, when he appeared in six regular-season games between the two teams.
The Falcons signed Rourke to a contract Thursday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports. After being let go by the Giants on Sunday, Rourke wasted no time finding another team as the Falcons released quarterback John Paddock in a corresponding move. Rourke will use training camp as an opportunity to compete against Taylor Heinicke for the emergency quarterback role behind presumptive starter Kirk Cousins and 2024 eighth-overall pick Michael Penix.
Smith-Williams has been getting first teams reps during training camp, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports. Smith-Williams signed with Atlanta in April after spending the first four years of his career in Washington. Originally considered a depth signing, after recording seven sacks in 55 career games, the Falcons seem to have higher expectations for the 27-year-old.
Ali (ankle) participated in drills at the Falcons' training camp Tuesday. Ali missed the entire 2023 season due to an ankle injury, but he appears to be fully healthy. He was able to make the Falcons' 53-man roster last year, and he'll look to do so again as a depth wide receiver.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said Tuesday that Robinson's backfield mate Tyler Allgeier will "have a big role" and be leaned on at "certain points" during the season, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Allgeier's significant role last year was a big factor in Robinson's rookie season being a disappointment from a fantasy standpoint, with the former taking just 28 fewer carries than the latter (186 to 214) despite playing less than half as many snaps (360 to 771). The rushing split figures to shift more toward Robinson now that he's not a rookie and isn't coached by Arthur Smith, but it sounds like the extent of that change won't automatically be what fantasy players are hoping for when they select Bijan in the first round of a draft. That said, it's reasonable enough to bet on his talent winning out over whatever the initial plan might be, considering Robinson is an eighth overall draft pick who scored 41 TDs in 31 college games and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at 215 pounds.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said Tuesday that Allgeier "certainly is going to have a big role" again, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. It's not what Bijan Robinson drafters want to hear, following a rookie season in which the 2023 eighth overall pick got only 28 more carries (214 to 186) than his backfield mate. Allgeier wasn't as efficient as he had been during his own rookie season the year prior, dropping from 4.9 yards per carry in 2022 to 3.7 YPC in 2023, but it sounds like the new coaching staff in Atlanta nonetheless views him as a big part of their plan on offense. While the workload figures to shift more in Robinson's favor this year, it might not be quite to the extent people are hoping for when they use a first-round fantasy pick on the 22-year-old.
The Falcons signed Matthews on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Matthews impressed the Texans after going undrafted last offseason, but he unfortunately tore his ACL and missed all of 2023. The San Diego State product has now made a full recovery from his ACL tear and has agreed to terms with Atlanta following a successful workout. Expect Matthews to compete for a depth role in the Falcons' wide receiver room as the offseason progresses.
The Falcons are slated to sign Washington, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Washington last saw NFL regular-season action with the Cowboys in 2022, but the 2018 second-rounder did manage to record 114 catches for 1,629 yards and 11 TDs over four years with the Steelers (2018-21). With the Falcons, the 28-year-old will compete for depth slotting in a wideout corps currently led by Drake London and Darnell Mooney that also includes Ray-Ray McCloud, Rondale Moore and KhaDarel Hodge.