Now that most of the Falcons’ coaching staff has been filled out, it’s time to shift the focus to what this team needs to accomplish to get where it wants to go in 2026. There’s a lot to like about the roster as it stands, but there are also several difficult conversations to be had regarding pending free agents, along with clear areas that need a significant influx of talent.
On the offensive side of the ball, no unit is more flawed than the wide receiver group. Drake London is a rising star — a true No. 1 who should already be in the conversation among the top 10 players at his position. Beyond him, though, the Falcons got next to nothing from their receiver room, and it’s a group that will likely need to be almost completely overhauled this offseason.
After a very promising first season in Atlanta, Darnell Mooney became an afterthought in year two, catching just 32 passes for 443 yards in 15 games. He has one year remaining on his contract and is set to count nearly $18.5 million against the cap, but the Falcons could save $11 million by releasing him, which feels like the most likely outcome.
Atlanta needs to find a WR2, especially if Kyle Pitts departs in free agency. In reality, they could also use a WR3, WR4, and WR5, which is why Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron sees the Falcons as the best landing spot for star free-agent wide receiver George Pickens.
“The change of scenery to Dallas cemented Pickens as a bona fide elite name at the receiver position, and entering his age-25 season, he’ll have no shortage of suitors this free agency cycle,” Cameron writes. “This past season, Pickens earned a career-best 87.2 PFF receiving grade, posting top-three marks in receiving yardage (1,429) and 15-plus-yard receptions of 15 (38).
“The 2026 season will prove to be an important crossroad for Michael Penix Jr.’s development as a passer. Despite leading the Power Four in deep completions his final year at Washington, Penix ranks just below the league average in percentage of attempts 20-plus yards downfield since entering the NFL. Pairing George Pickens with Drake London would create one of the NFLs most electric receiver duos and set the young quarterback up for success.”
The fit — and the logic behind it — is obvious. There’s a clear need in Atlanta, and surrounding a young quarterback like Michael Penix Jr. with as much talent as possible is a sound approach. With George Pickens alongside Bijan Robinson and Drake London, there would be no excuses for Penix not to succeed moving forward.
That said, the money Pickens is going to command makes this pairing feel highly unlikely. The Falcons aren’t exactly flush with cap space, and while wide receiver is a major need, they probably shouldn’t put all of their eggs in one basket. It would also create some uncomfortable long-term questions. Is Atlanta really prepared to pay Bijan Robinson, George Pickens, and Drake London top-of-the-market money without even knowing if they have their franchise quarterback in the building?
It’s hard to see Pickens as a realistic option given how many other holes the roster still has. He proved in Dallas that he’s a bona fide superstar and deserves a contract in the $35–40 million per year range. Sure, there are creative ways to structure a deal that could make it work, and the idea of adding that kind of impact talent is undeniably tempting.
But pouring that much money and draft capital into skill positions isn’t how sustainable winners are built. Falcons fans have seen that movie before, and there are plenty of cautionary tales around the league right now — most notably what’s unfolding in Cincinnati with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
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Photo: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire
