Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier rushed for 1,035 yards in his 2022 rookie season, but that didn't stop the team from selecting Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Allgeier spent last season as a secondary ball carrier for Atlanta, rushing 186 times for 683 yards and four touchdowns. With former head coach Arthur Smith gone, many believe Robinson will become a true workhorse running back, but Falcons writer Daniel Flick predicted Allgeier could see roughly 14 carries per game in 2024. He clarified that Robinson could see about 16 carries per game plus work in the passing attack, but it's worth noting Allgeier is likely to remain involved in the offense. Given the high injury rate at the running back position, Allgeier is worth stashing in deeper setups. If Robinson has to miss any action this year, Allgeier would be moved into the starting role behind a top-tier offensive line as a part of an ascending offense under new quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The Washington Commanders are releasing kicker Riley Patterson following the trade for former Cleveland Browns kicker Cade York, according to John Keim of ESPN. Patterson has spent time with six NFL organizations since going undrafted out of Memphis in 2021. He's seen regular-season action with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns, and has made 59 of his 67 field goal attempts through the first 39 contests of his career. Patterson's 88.1% career field goal percentage is above the league's average, so it would not be surprising if he lands another opportunity this season.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. won't suit up for the team's preseason finale versus Jacksonville. Fortunately, it appears the rookie isn't injured. However, head coach Raheem Morris opted to hold him out of Saturday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. With that said, Kirk Cousins (Achilles) won't suit up, meaning Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock will presumably close out the preseason for Atlanta before the club preparers for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Atlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. ran nine times in Saturday's game for 39 yards while receiving no work in the passing game in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. After averaging less than 2.0 yards per carry last week on 16 attempts, Washington was much more efficient on the ground this week, averaging over 9.0 per carry. The 25-year-old seemed to have the edge over Jase McClellan for the RB3 job according to the Falcons' official depth chart, but now it seems to be a tight-knit race for that job with McLellan running the ball extremely well so far in the first two preseason games. Look for this race for the RB3 spot to continue on Friday when the Falcons take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair finished with 91 receiving yards and four catches on five targets in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The former XFL star stepped things up in preseason Week 2, doubling his yards and targets from preseason Week 1. He remains low on the totem pole with the depth the Falcons currently have at wideout. Still, in the two games he's played this preseason, he's been impressive with six catches and 136 receiving yards on eight targets while averaging about 22 yards per reception. Look for Blair to keep trying to climb the depth chart next week when the Falcons take on the Jaguars on Friday.