The Atlanta Falcons are clearly prioritizing particular groups but once more in 2025, with a number of signings that determine to closely or primarily contribute there. The large adjustments at a few specialist spots have definitely shaken issues up heading out of the primary couple waves of free company, which suggests it’s a logical time handy out some arrows.
Arrow Up
Ok Lenny Krieg
The indicators are all optimistic for Krieg. He acquired a 3 12 months deal from the Falcons with a major signing bonus, was snapped up the day after the Worldwide Participant Pathway program professional day by Atlanta, and signed with the primary crew he visited with. That every one signifies a major degree of curiosity for the Falcons, which bodes nicely for Krieg.
He discovered soccer pretty late in life and has solely performed in a European league, however kicker is a type of positions that doesn’t have a steep studying curve hopping throughout the pond. With a robust leg and accuracy, plus the crew’s apparent curiosity in having him be their long-term kicker, Krieg’s arrow is pointing method, method up forward of his summer time in Atlanta. All he has to do is capitalize on his large probability.
LS Liam McCullough
The Falcons reportedly confirmed a degree of curiosity in a Michigan lengthy snapper, so possibly you’ll be able to’t rule out a summer time addition for competitors. However McCullough simply obtained a brand new contract and has been extraordinarily dependable throughout his time in Atlanta, which ought to hold him right here so long as that continues. The recent deal and the safety implied by it, and McCullough’s work in his Falcons profession, means his arrow is pointing up.
KR/PR Jamal Agnew
The Falcons didn’t, to all appearances, make a robust effort to retain Avery Williams. As a substitute, they went and grabbed Agnew, who overlapped with Marquice Williams in Detroit and was an especially productive returner no all that way back.
Given the connection with Williams, Agnew’s historical past, and the truth that he’s a 1:1 alternative for Williams, he ought to be headed for a top quality season because the crew’s unquestioned punt returner and considered one of its main kick returners. Well being is actually the one query mark, however I’m bullish on his outlook in Atlanta.
Arrow sideways
P Bradley Pinion
The truth that the Falcons haven’t prioritized including competitors ought to have Pinion’s arrow pointing up, however I nonetheless surprise if that competitors would possibly come.
Pinion was thirty second within the league in web yards per punt and thirty fourth in punts contained in the opposing 20, the latter partly a operate of area place and partly a operate of Pinion himself. Examine that to 2023, when Pinion was twentieth in web yards per punt and nineteenth in share of punts contained in the 20, and 2022 when he was fifteenth and 18th. Which will simply be the product of a 12 months that appeared to go sideways for everybody, however the sharp decline in effectiveness for Pinion final season would possibly give the crew pause. That’s very true with $2.6+ million in financial savings from reducing him versus a modest $500,000 useless cash hit within the remaining 12 months of his deal.
That would counsel the arrow is pointing down, however Pinion has been valued by this teaching workers, doesn’t but have any competitors or any indication that competitors is coming, and isn’t historical by punter requirements. We’ll re-visit this after the draft, however proper now Pinion’s somebody we hope will bounce again.
KR/PR Ray-Ray McCloud
I don’t anticipate any actual function change for McCloud on particular groups, the place he’ll pair with Agnew as one of many crew’s kick returners and chip in the place wanted. McCloud confirmed final 12 months that as a strong returner and better-than-expected receiving possibility, he has appreciable worth for this Falcons crew. Other than the chance {that a} draft choose might diminish his function on offense a bit, I anticipate him to proceed to ship that worth.
Arrow down
Ok Younghoe Koo
The indicators are all dangerous for Koo, who isn’t any stranger to adversity and now faces a recent wave of it.
The Chargers gave up on him far too shortly and the Falcons have been the beneficiary of correct, clutch kicking for a number of seasons earlier than the wheels got here off a bit final 12 months. A mix of tinkered-with mechanics seemingly letting Koo down and damage led to his worst season in Atlanta, one which despatched him tumbling down the all-time NFL accuracy leaderboard on area objectives and had him at twenty ninth in that metric within the NFL for 2024. His accuracy had been steadily slipping over the earlier 4 seasons, however his worst years have been 86.5% in 2022 and 2023, which put him across the center of the pack within the NFL. The distinction between kicker and a shaky one is just a few misses, and that was definitely true for him final 12 months.
If the crew seen final 12 months as a mere blip, they might not have rushed to signal Krieg to compete with Koo. The Falcons are seemingly eyeing the slippage in Koo’s numbers, his restoration, and the truth that they’ll save $3 million in cap area this 12 months and over $4 million subsequent 12 months in the event that they reduce ties with him as they provide Krieg a crack on the job. Koo might nonetheless theoretically fend off Krieg with a terrific spring and summer time, however from the place we sit at present, I absolutely anticipate the crew to launch or commerce him if their new kicking possibility shines.
After 4 weeks of the 2024 season, Koo appeared to have put any doubts behind him. Now, it’s truthful to doubt that he’ll be the crew’s kicker in 2025, highlighting how shortly fortunes change for the place within the NFL. It’s a bummer given what number of nice kicks Koo hit over time for Atlanta, however issues look grim for him in the mean time.
