Falcons HC talks Edwards

Falcons HC Arthur Smith commented on the arrival of WR Bryan Edwards. “He’s a guy who can win outside 1-on-1 and certainly has shown he can play in traffic inside the numbers,” Smith said. “This guy has made big plays. He’s not even 23 years old. When I was at the previous spot [Tennessee], we really liked him coming out.” A fantasy afterthought in Vegas, Edwards' move to Atlanta makes him a legit late-round flier in best ball leagues.

The Chiefs are signing WR Bryan Edwards to their practice squad, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Edwards tallied just 3 catches and 15 yards among 5 targets before getting dumped by the Falcons after a Week 10 loss to the Panthers.

Falcons WR Bryan Edwards is sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered on Saturday. “It’s nothing that’s considered long term," HC Arthur Smith said. "We’ll take it day by day." It doesn't sound like Edwards' availability for the start of the season is in jeopardy, but he can't afford to miss much time if he wants to win a Week 1 starting job.

Falcons WR Bryan Edwards talked up his fit in HC Arthur Smith’s offense. “I just knew he liked the big-bodied receiver and they ran a lot of in-breaking routes with a lot of guys who could get YAC and make big plays off YAC,” Edwards said. “When I heard I was coming here, I felt like it was a really good fit for me, probably as good as it was going to get.” Edwards is also expected to fill a deep-threat role alongside rookie WR Drake London. QB play remains a concern, but Atlanta’s WR depth (Auden Tate, Olamide Zaccheaus, Geronimo Allison, Frank Darby) at least looks like the weakest league-wide. Note that Edwards turns just 24 in November.

The Raiders traded WR Bryan Edwards along with a 7th-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for a 5th-round pick. Edwards disappointed across the past 2 seasons in Vegas, totaling just 45 catches for 764 yards and 4 TDs. But he was a good-looking prospect coming out of South Carolina and immediately becomes the favorite for the #2 WR job in Atlanta alongside 1st-round rookie Drake London. Edwards' 2022 fantasy value gets a big boost with the move -- and his dynasty value will look better if the Falcons find a QB. The Raiders, meanwhile, are left with WRs Demarcus Robinson, Keelan Cole, Tyron Johnson and Mack Hollins behind Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow.

Speaking with the Raiders website Saturday, HC Jon Gruden had some high praise for 2nd-year WR Bryan Edwards: "He's got great ability. I'm excited about him. You see, he looks like T.O. He looks like one of the #1 wideouts in the league." Gruden then added that WR Henry Ruggs "is putting it together; I think his experience shows." It's one soundbite from an early-camp interview. But it sure sounds -- and looks from Gruden's expression -- as though last year's Round 3 WR is impressing him more than the 1st-rounder. Gruden went on to name Willie Snead and Hunter Renfrow as "crafty little slot guys" and said he's "really excited" about TE Foster Moreau. We'll keep our eyes on the progression of this offense, which presents wide-open opportunity for roles behind lead target Darren Waller.