The Atlanta Falcons have a clear problem at wide receiver, and it starts with the gap behind Drake London. London is the established star, while third-round rookie Zachariah Branch brings upside but is still a work in progress.
That’s why Deebo Samuel Sr. makes so much sense as a name to watch. He’s still sitting in free agency about halfway through the summer, which is a little surprising for a player with his résumé. After a solid but ultimately underwhelming lone season with the Washington Commanders, Samuel remains one of the most recognizable options on the market.
FanSided’s Christopher Kline sees Atlanta as a natural landing spot, and the fit is easy to understand. Samuel thrives on short and intermediate routes, and he can line up all over the formation. That versatility matters for a Falcons offense that would benefit from quick throws and yards after the catch.
"Whether it's Michael Penix or Tua Tagovailoa lining up under center for the Falcons, they will need to scheme up quick-hitting passes and rely on their receivers to create advantages after the catch," Kline wrote. "Samuel is quite successful on slants and other intermediate routes. That he can also fold into the backfield and offer a unique optionality next to Bijan Robinson, another highly versatile playmaker, only increases the appeal for Atlanta."
The quarterback situation in Atlanta points in the same direction. Michael Penix Jr.’s issues, especially when it comes to accuracy downfield, and Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths, along with the lack of mobility in that setup, make a dependable outlet like Samuel feel useful.
Samuel would also bring something the Falcons’ receiver room doesn’t have much of: experience. He’s been through it, and he could give the group a steadier voice in the room.
At the same time, nobody should expect a return to his 2021 peak. Samuel, who is heading into his age-30 season, is no longer the All-Pro First Team force who lit up the league that year. But he doesn’t need to be that player to help Atlanta.
Even in a down 2025, Samuel still put together a useful line: 72 catches on 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns, plus 75 rushing yards and a score on 17 carries. For the Falcons, that kind of production would already represent a strong floor, especially compared with what their other non-London wideouts can offer.
There’s also a developmental angle here. Samuel could be a valuable mentor for Branch, since both players win after the catch and can function as extensions of the run game. The overlap might look crowded now, but it could make a lot of sense down the road.
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Simon showed a few encouraging flashes during OTAs, but the margin for error gets thinner once the pads come on and the roster battles sharpen. He is in the mix with Jack Velling and others for one of the final tight end jobs behind Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner, and the next stretch of camp will go a long way toward deciding whether Simon can force his way into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
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But the franchises draft history has another painful chapter, and it comes with a different kind of frustration. Bruce Pickens arrived with far more hype, yet his time in Atlanta was marked by a messy start, limited impact and a career that never came close to matching the expectations that came with his draft slot, leaving Falcons fans with a reminder that the teams draft regrets run deeper than one famous miss. [Read more 🡒]
Bijan Robinson Just Put Falcons Fans On Extension Watch
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NFL Networks Mike Garafolo expects Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs to be in line for top-of-market running back deals, with the Lions possibly needing to move first after Gibbs expanded role following the David Montgomery trade. For Atlanta, the bigger question is not whether Robinson is part of the long-term plan, but how quickly the Falcons are ready to turn that plan into a contract before the next season opens. [Read more 🡒]