Former Wisconsin receiver Vinny Anthony II is making noise in Atlanta, and one Falcons analyst thinks the rookie is well on his way to sticking around.
Anthony, one of 12 UDFA players Wisconsin sent into the NFL this offseason, has quickly put himself in the mix with the Falcons because of his versatility. Atlanta likes what he can do on offense and on special teams, and he backed that up in the first preseason game by showing he can help as both a receiver and a kick returner.
Clint Goss of Blogging Dirty didn’t sound like someone trying to pump the brakes after Sunday’s preseason opener. “Vinny Anthony is practically forcing the Falcons to keep him on their roster.”
Goss pointed to more than just the return game, too. Anthony has also been turning heads in camp, and the production is showing up in the numbers.
“The AJC's Daniel Flick reported that ex-Wisconsin WR Vinny Anthony II is producing in training camp, tied with Jahan Dotson for second on the team in receptions through 11 practices.” Anthony has 15 catches, trailing only Drake London, who has 19. For an undrafted player, that kind of early climb stands out.
Goss also believes Anthony’s profile may have been easy to overlook. His final season at Wisconsin wasn’t eye-popping, and he didn’t light up the NFL Combine either.
But Atlanta doesn’t need him to be a workout warrior; it needs the traits he already has. Goss sees a receiver who runs routes well and brings burst in the “short to intermediate speed” range, which helps him get open consistently.
That part probably feels familiar to Badger fans. Anthony was a steady presence in the Wisconsin offense, even if the box scores never fully captured it.
The quarterback situation changed, injuries piled up, and the big statistical season never came. Still, he kept showing up, game after game and practice after practice, as a dependable target who could separate and hold onto the ball.
Now the Falcons are seeing the same things Wisconsin fans saw. Anthony’s start includes 90 yards on kick returns and one catch on three targets, and Goss thinks that could be enough to push him onto the final roster while also giving Atlanta a real contributor on offense and special teams.
He still has work to do before the preseason ends, and the remaining games will matter. But Anthony has already given himself a strong opening, and the more chances he gets, the more his stock can rise.
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