Atlanta Falcons

SI.com's Albert Breer writes that Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been impressive so far in training camp while running the second-team offense as he heads into his first NFL season as a backup to veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix has looked good getting guys in and out of the huddle and is getting a better feel for progressing to the backside of some of the team's new passing concepts. He has a knack for pushing the ball down the field and has had a handful of wo throws every week. The 24-year-old was a surprise as the eighth overall pick in April's draft after the team signed Cousins in free agency. There's a ton of long-term upside for Penix in fantasy if he can avoid the injury bug, but he'll be off the redraft radar as long as Cousins stays healthy.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud clearly has the starting slot job right now over Rondale Moore. McCloud had 90 catches in six seasons before signing with the Falcons as a free agent this offseason, while Moore had 135 catches in three years when Atlanta acquired him in a trade for quarterback Desmond Ridder. "I have the ultimate confidence in him," wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard said of McCloud. "I think he's going to be really good for our football team." Moore has made some big plays in camp with the second-team offense but has struggled with consistency. The 27-year-old McCloud has mostly been a special-teams asset in his time in the NFL, but he could have a bigger role in the new-look Falcons offense in 2024. For now, he's just a name to monitor as fantasy drafts approach this fall.

New Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson says that running back Tyler Allgeier is "certainly going to have a big role." Robinson also says there will be certain points this year where the Falcons will lean on him. Despite the selection of star tailback Bijan Robinson in the first round of last year's NFL draft, Allgeier sustained a prominent role on the ground with 186 rushing attempts in 17 games last season. The 24-year-old former fifth-round pick out of BYU should remain a decent bet for double-digit carries on a weekly basis this season, but he'll be awfully dependent on touchdowns without much usage in the passing game. Atlanta's offense also figures to be more modernized with quarterback Kirk Cousins at the helm in 2024, so Allgeier is better suited as a handcuff for Robinson's fantasy managers than as an RB3/flex starter to begin the season.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III was spotted working with the first-team offense on Monday. McCloud is currently listed as the No. 3 wide receiver on the Falcons' depth chart. Throughout his career, McCloud has primarily served as a depth piece and special teamer. In 2023, he caught 12 passes for 135 yards and no touchdowns. His career high is 277 yards, and he only has two touchdowns from scrimmage in his careernevertheless, the Falcons' offense projects to be very high-powered. If McCloud sees a significant snap share, he could be a solid bench target in deep leagues. He should have solid PPR flex value if he ultimately wins the slot receiver role. This development may also suggest what the Falcons think of Rondale Moore. Currently, Moore projects to be the No. 4 wide receiver on this depth chart.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London appeared to be suffering from cramps during Friday's training camp practice when he left early. The Falcons later announced that London was "over-heated" during the team's second training camp practice. It's good news for the 23-year-old that he was only dealing with cramps. It's possible that he'll be a full-go for the team's next practice this weekend as he works to gain chemistry with new quarterback Kirk Cousins. The former eighth overall pick in 2022 out of USC enters the 2024 campaign as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 now that Cousins is in town. He has 69 receptions on 110 targets for 905 yards and just two touchdowns in 16 starts in his second year in 2023. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is expected to favor the passing game in Atlanta over former head coach Arthur Smith.