Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

EDGE Arnold Ebiketie landed with the Falcons in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. After 3 quiet years at Temple, Ebiketie broke out for 62 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks across 12 contests in 2021. He posted a slightly above-average 101.6 speed score at 6’2, 250 pounds at the Combine. Ebiketie’s 91st-percentile vertical and 96th-percentile broad jump point to well above-average explosiveness, though. We'll see about Ebiketie's position designation, but there's solid-to-good IDP upside here.

The Falcons selected USC WR Drake London with the 8th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. London is a former basketball player and plays like it. He’s a jump-ball dominator, with his 6’4 frame, springy hops and strong hands. London led this WR class with 19 contested catches last year, per Pro Football Focus. He isn’t as dominant on short and intermediate routes, but we saw enough separation ability on tape. He also has some surprising shake for a big man. London broke out as a sophomore in 2020, leading a Trojans WR corps that included Amon-Ra St. Brown with 83.7 yards per game. Then came a massive 2021 that saw London lead the country with 11 catches per game and rank 2nd with 135.5 yards per game. He ranked 1st among draft-eligible WRs in Pro Football Focus’ receiving grades. An October 30 broken right ankle ended London’s season and prevented him from doing any athletic testing in the pre-draft process. But London did some on-field drills at his April 15 Pro Day and should be at 100% for training camp. He should immediately take over as the top dog in a barren Falcons WR corps. QB play is a concern, but volume and talent should carry London to a productive rookie season. Check out the initial projections and ranking for London.

The 49ers are signing WR/returner Ray-Ray McCloud to a 2-year deal worth up to $10.4 million, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That contract appears to put McCloud in between what fellow slot WRs Isaiah Mckenzie got from the Bills and Braxton Berrios from the Jets. McCloud is a more accomplished return man than either of them, though. He led the league in punt returns and punt-return yardage last year and as averaged more than 22 yards per kick return on 28+ returns each of the past 2 years. Expect him to assume those roles with his new team. We'll see about McCloud's role on offense. For now, we're not giving him much attention in best-ball drafts.

The Falcons have agreed to a 5-year, $24.25 million deal with K Younghoe Koo -- including $11.5 million guaranteed -- according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Koo has hit 64 of 68 FG attempts over the past 2 seasons and led the NFL in made FGs in 2020 despite missing a game. No word yet on who besides TE Kyle Pitts will actually help Atlanta get into FG range in 2022.

QB Kirk Cousins is signing a 1-year extension with the Vikings. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that it's worth a fully guaranteed $35 million, locking him in through 2023. The deal also adds a no-trade clause. This move confirms that Cousins will at least remain Minnesota's starter through the 2022 season -- and likely through 2023 as well.

The Bengals are applying the franchise tag to S Jessie Bates III. The move keeps the star safety from hitting unrestricted free agency. We'll see whether the 2 sides can reach agreement on a long-term deal, though. Bates admitted during the 2021 season that distraction over his lack of a contract extension was inhibiting his play. His performance rebounded. Now we'll see about the relationship. Bates posted his worst fantasy season among 4 years in 2021, with the primary culprit a lack of coverage plays. He averaged 10.3 passes defensed through his 1st 3 campaigns, snagging 3 INTs each year. Last season found Bates collecting just 1 INT and 4 passes defensed.

There have been some rumors of potential for QB Kirk Cousins to be traded this offseason. It doesn't sound like new Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell is on board with that notion, though. "Kirk is our quarterback," O'Connell said Wednesday in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I'm excited about that. I'm excited about building an offense for him." We wouldn't echo excitement for Cousins as a fantasy QB, but his production has outperformed his ADP for several years now. So we have no problem with Cousins as an early best-ball pick -- especially when stacked with WR Justin Jefferson or WR Adam Thielen.

Beat writer Adam Jahns considers WR to be the Bears’ “top priority” in free agency. It’s hard to argue that one. Darnell Mooney took a step forward this past year, locking him into a starting spot going forward. Allen Robinson will play elsewhere next year, though. And the team currently lacks quality WR talent. Michael Gallup, Mike Williams and D.J. Chark supply a few intriguing options, but we'll see who makes it to the open market. Bank on Chicago adding a WR or 2 in the draft — just note that they’re without a 1st rounder following last year’s trade up for Justin Fields. As of now, the Bears won’t be on the clock until the 7th pick of Round 2.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (ankle) is active for tonight's Wild Card game vs. the Rams. It'll be the rookie's first action since Week 15. Moore figures to be 4th in line for snaps behind WRs Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Antoine Wesley.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (ankle) is questionable for Monday’s game against the Rams. Limited in practice all week, the rookie is considered a game-time decision. Even if active, Moore should be off your radar in DFS contests.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (ankle) was limited in Thursday's practice. The rookie has been sidelined since Week 15 and would be Arizona's #4 WR if able to return for Monday night's Wild Card game vs. the Rams.

The Vikings have fired HC Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman, NFL Network reports. It ends an 8-year run for Zimmer and a 16-year run for Spielman in Minnesota. Zimmer's tenure brought just 3 seasons of double-digit wins and 2 playoff victories. We'll see who the Vikings hire to run the show going forward.

Raiders CB Casey Hayward (ankle) is active for tonight's game against the Chargers.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Saints. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday but comes with elevated risk in Week 18 fantasy lineups.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Saints. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Pitts said Thursday that he expects to play, but the team will have the final say. Falcons-Saints doesn’t kick off until 4:25 pm ET on Sunday, but we’ll look for an update on Pitts’ status that morning.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (ankle) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks. The rookie has now missed the past 3 weeks and is uncertain for the start of the playoffs. Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Antoine Wesley will continue to operate as Arizona’s top 3 WRs this weekend.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He told reporters afterward that he'll play vs. the Saints this weekend, but we wouldn't take his status for granted just yet. We'll get another update on Pitts on Friday afternoon.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. He needs 59 yards to break Mike Ditka's record for receiving yards in a season by a rookie TE, but it looks like he might not get the chance.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has been activated from the COVID list. He's expected to start Sunday's finale vs. the Bears, despite Minnesota having nothing to play for. Cousins isn't an exciting fantasy option, but his return is excellent news for WR Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Vikings' skill-position players.

Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Cowboys. Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Antoine Wesley will continue to operate as Arizona’s top 3 WRs.