Mon Jan 5 9:45am ET
Field Level Media
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is shaking up the flow chart from the top after firing general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris.
Blank outlined intentions to hire a "president of football" after a two-month review of the organization and has moved longtime front office voice Rich McKay to a role with a heavier focus in his other areas of business, including preparation for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"With the help of Sportsology Group, we have conducted a deep, thorough and intentional health assessment of our entire football operation over the last two months," Blank said Monday in an open letter to Falcons fans.
"Knowing adjustments across our operation are necessary to achieve our goals, we will be making significant changes. As we announced last night, we will have a new head coach and general manager in 2026, but that is only one part of our approach in a new era."
ESPN and The Athletic reported CBS football studio analyst and former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was offered the role of president. But Blank is not waiting for a president to set the course in his search for a new GM-coach combination. He said the search for candidates to fill both roles is already under way.
"We have retained ZRG Partners and Sportsology Group to assist in those searches, respectively, and will also leverage insights from others across the football landscape with a keen eye for where the NFL game is today and where it's going to help us fill those two critical roles," Blank said.
Whether Ryan is the president of football for the Falcons or Blank moves to another candidate, it's clear he wants that role to be the voice of the franchise.
"Final decision-making authority will rest with the president of football. This leader will also work in collaboration with the club's president and CEO to ensure the team's football and business operations are appropriately aligned with unified organizational goals to deliver success on the field and in all areas of engaging Falcons fans," Blank wrote. "The new president of football will report directly to me. We plan to move quickly on this hire so the new president of football can be fully involved in the selection of our new leaders in the head coach and general manager roles."
The Falcons finished 8-9 and owe their first-round pick -- No. 13 overall -- to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2025 draft-day trade to move back into the first round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who posted a team rookie record with 10.5 sacks this season.
Critical roster questions surround quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins. Cousins is halfway through the four-year, $180 million contract signed before the 2024 season and has a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus for next season. Moving on from Cousins would come with a $45 million dead cap hit.
Penix is approaching the two-month mark in his recovery from ACL surgery on his left knee as the offseason begins.
Running back Bijan Robinson is a candidate for a huge raise entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal, which also includes a team option for 2027. Robinson's base salary for 2026 is $1.145 million.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Durham Smythe (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Sunday in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and will now miss the rest of the 2026 season, an MRI exam confirmed, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Smythe, who has always been a blocking-first tight end, was not on the fantasy radar in his ninth season in the league. In four games in his first year with Baltimore, he caught just one of two targets for four yards. Mark Andrews will continue to be the Ravens' primary pass-catching tight end, but with Smythe now done for the year, rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas will be forced into bigger roles behind Andrews. The loss of Smythe for the season does not move the fantasy needle at all, but it could hurt All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and the Ravens' rushing attack the rest of the way. Smythe, a former fourth-rounder in 2018 from Notre Dame by the Miami Dolphins, has only 137 catches for 1,257 yards and three touchdowns in his nine seasons in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
In a surprising turn of events, the Seattle Seahawks have decided not to sign two-time Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad after receiving his physical results. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a mysterious foot injury, and according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the physical he underwent with the team revealed enough for the Seahawks to change course, and Mixon will remain a free agent. Mixon has racked up nearly 10,000 yards and 74 touchdowns over an eight-year career, but given the latest news, it now seems unlikely we'll see him on a football field again.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is committed to keeping quarterback Jalen Hurts under center despite the team's early struggles with play action, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. When Mannion was asked if the Eagles will continue to keep Hurts under center, even though they have been among the worst in the NFL at it, the OC said that Hurts "can do it" and that "we believe in it." Through the first four weeks of the 2026 campaign, the 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler is outside of the top 10 in overall fantasy points at the position, throwing for 713 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding 21 carries for 105 yards and one score on the ground. Hurts ranks 31st out of 38 qualifying QBs in adjusted yards per attempt on passes while under center, and he has a putrid 18% success rate under center. The Eagles' offense was stuck in the mud in Sunday's loss to a tough Los Angeles Rams defense, and it did not help that both star running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) were injured. If both Smith and Barkley miss the Week 5 game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hurts should be viewed as more of a high-end QB2 than a legitimate QB1 for fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals lost All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) early in their Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, and as he has done numerous times throughout his career, tight end Mike Gesicki stepped up to fill the void, finishing the day with 40 yards and a touchdown to make him the TE6 on the week. Chase's availability for Week 5 is unclear, and with Pro Bowler Tee Higgins (adductor) also leaving the game with an adductor injury that now has him considered day-to-day, Gesicki becomes a high-priority waiver add along with teammate Dohnte Meyers. The Bengals face a Dolphins team in Week 5 that has given up the fourth-most points above expectation to the tight end position, and if one or both of the team's top receivers should miss time, Gesicki slots in as a must-start.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell officially caught zero passes in a Week 4 loss to the Vikings, but his day almost looked much different from a fantasy perspective. Bell had a 68-yard touchdown wiped off the board by an illegal touch penalty that came down to a fraction of an inch. While results have been inconsistent, Bell's usage has been on the rise after missing most of training camp while rehabbing the ACL tear that ended his collegiate career. He saw a season-high 82% snap share in Week 4, his second straight game topping 70%, and while the Dolphins passing offense is unlikely to support multiple fantasy options, Bell has the talent to emerge as the Miami receiver to roster, particularly if his snap counts keep rising.
From RotoBaller
After leading the team in receiving through the first three games of the season, Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond came back to earth in a Week 4 win over the Eagles, making only two catches for six yards. With the Bears' passing offense looking more like what fantasy managers expected and finally running through Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland, Raymond is likely to hit waiver wires in many leagues. Outside of the deepest formats, he does not need to be viewed as a priority target or even a hold. Raymond has had fantasy-relevant stretches in the past, but has never proven to be a trustworthy every-week starter, and without an injury ahead of him on the depth chart, he is unlikely to consistently see the type of unexpected volume with which he opened the year.
From RotoBaller
In a Week 4 win played without one of the team's leading receivers, Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller caught only three passes for 36 yards. With Jalen Coker (quadriceps) sidelined by a quadriceps injury, the passing offense was funneled primarily through second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who set or matched career highs across the board with 14 receptions on 16 targets, 192 yards, and two touchdowns. Still, despite a quiet outing, Waller remains a critical piece of one of the league's most improved offenses. Following a disappointing performance, and with the Panthers on a Week 5 bye, he is likely to hit waivers in a number of leagues, making the 34-year-old veteran an intriguing stash candidate for contending teams with adequate bench space. Unfortunately, the Panthers face an Eagles team in Week 6 that has been the most difficult tight end matchup through the first month of the season.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that the flow of the game and long downs have prevented running back Sean Tucker from getting snaps sometimes, but he said that the offense needs to find ways to get Tucker and Kenny Gainwell more carries, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. It would be bad news for Bucky Irving's fantasy managers if both Tucker and Gainwell find more touches in Tampa's backfield. In the 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 on Sunday, Tucker played only three offensive snaps, carrying the ball three times for 10 yards. Gainwell, meanwhile, played 42% of the snaps and had three carries for five yards while catching both of his targets for 22 yards and a receiving touchdown. Irving led the backfield with a 58% snap share and a team-high 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. As long as Irving remains healthy, he will continue to see most of the early-down work for the Bucs, with Tucker and Gainwell battling for change-of-pace duties as the Buccaneers look for their first win of the season to kick off Week 5 on Thursday night on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders rookie third-round wide receiver Antonio Williams played a season-high 69% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's Week 4 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London with fellow wideout Terry McLaurin inactive due to a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old from Clemson did little with a season-high eight targets, though, catching three passes for 21 yards. It did not help Williams' cause that veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) left the game with an MCL sprain, leading to third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis entering the game. Through his first four NFL games, Williams has caught 12 of his 19 targets for 124 yards and one touchdown. He is currently rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues, but Williams deserves some attention with McLaurin injured and potentially up in the air to play this weekend against the division-rival New York Giants. If McLaurin misses another game and starting QB Jayden Daniels returns from his dislocated left elbow, Williams will be a sneaky flex play in deeper fantasy leagues in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Although Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is still searching for his first touchdown through four games in his first season in South Beach, it is clear that he has become quarterback Malik Willis' go-to downfield target through the air. It has helped that rookie wideout Caleb Douglas has missed the last couple of games due to an ankle injury. In the Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Washington led the Dolphins' receivers in snap count (34), catches (five), targets (five), and receiving yards (67), which were also a season high for him. Through the first four games in 2026, the 25-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2024 from Virginia has 17 catches for 219 yards on 28 targets from Willis. Washington will be a decent WR3/flex option in Week 5 as the Dolphins seek their first victory of the year against the Cincinnati Bengals, especially if Douglas misses a third straight game due to his ankle injury. He is not a sexy fantasy option because of the offense he is in, but he deserves a look off the waiver wire and is rostered in only 31% of Yahoo leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee has become a useful waiver option for managers who need help at the position. He caught five of six targets for 67 yards in Sunday's win over Philadelphia, giving him 13 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets over the last two games. Just as importantly, the volume held up with Puka Nacua back in the lineup. Terrance Ferguson is now on injured reserve with a medial ankle sprain, leaving Higbee with a clearer path to targets for at least the next few weeks. RotoBaller has him third among its Week 5 tight end waiver options and recommends adding him in 12-team PPR leagues. Higbee is not a set-and-forget TE1, but six more targets against Buffalo would make him a usable streamer. At a position where reliable volume is hard to find, he is worth a claim for managers who need short-term help.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson should be more popular off the waiver wire this week after finding the end zone for a second straight game in Sunday's 24-18 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. Robinson was out-snapped by rookie Carnell Tate 54 to 43 in the game and caught only three passes for 19 yards, but he found the end zone for the second straight week after his seven-catch, 57-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. The 25-year-old's touchdown on Sunday came with just over a minute left in regulation. He has not been the target hog that he was the last few years with the Giants, as Robinson has 16 catches on 23 targets for 123 yards and two touchdowns in his first four games with Tennessee. Still, Robinson can be useful as wide receiver depth for fantasy managers, especially if he can continue to develop chemistry with young quarterback Cam Ward. He could be a nice flex play at wideout for the Titans' upcoming matchup this Sunday against the winless Houston Texans.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 30-of-48 passes for 286 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a loss to the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Shough didn't turn the ball over but also was unable to make much of an impact as he was running for his life most of the game. The Saints inability to run the ball effectively between the 20s greatly hampered their ability to score and Shough was left slinging the ball around as they got blown out by Atlanta. Shough has made great strides but this just wasn't his night. He'll remain an ascending QB1 in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had 145 rushing yards, one catch, two receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Dynasty managers were left wondering what could have been as Brian Robinson sniped three more rushing touchdowns from Bijan but it's hard to get too upset when you have one of the two best running backs in fantasy on your team. BIjan looks poised to post another career season now that Michael Penix is healthy and back in the saddle. He remains untouchable in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Falcons running back Brian Robinson had 62 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards and three touchdowns in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Yes, that was BRIAN Robinson, not Bijan Robinson. And somewhere all those people who accidentally drafted Brian Robinson instead of Bijan in a league full of people who chose to laugh at them and not fix it have one night to smile. For what it's worth, Brian Robinson has staked claim as being perhaps the best handcuff in fantasy football and his touchdown potential is going to keep him under flex consideration moving forward.
Dynasty | Falcons quarterback Michael Penix completed 15-of-20 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Penix isn't putting up video game numbers but the Falcons were the worst scoring team in the league the first two weeks with Cooper Rush at the helm and the highest scoring team the past two weeks with Penix back - that's tough to argue. The question with Penix is always going to be about his health. If he can stay on the field, his ADP and ranking will start to move up again slowly.
Dynasty | Saints running back Alvin Kamara had 23 rushing yards, five catches, 35 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Kamara was the beneficiary of New Orleans finding its way inside the five by throwing the ball, then giving it to him to score. It was an otherwise inefficient night for Kamara but it's hard to argue with the results. The Saints are looking like a team wanting to mix and match their running backs with Travis Etienne out but Kamara looks like the one you can have as an RB2/Flex option. While his dynasty value is just about cooked, we may just get one more short-term burst of decent value after all.
Dynasty | The Seahawks have signed free agent running back Joe Mixon. Dynasty Analysis: Well, this is interesting. Mixon himself was telling people his career was likely over not more than two months ago but apparently he's finally healthy enough to play again. Mixon's foot injury remains one of the great mysteries in fantasy football history but Seattle must have seen enough in a workout to believe he's ready to contribute. Mixon will likely, well, mix in with Emanuel Wilson, George Holani and perhaps Zach Charbonnet here soon while Seattle awaits the return of Jadarian Price. In short, this is a backfielld that could use someone like, say, Kenneth Walker. Regardless, Mixon will have himself an audition to try to stick with the team moving beyond just a couple of weeks. He could be a decent add off waiver wires if you have some open spots.
Dynasty | Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with sprains in both of his ankles. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that explains a little bit in regards to Love's cryptic and frankly weird comments about this shaping up to be the longest year of his life. In short, Love is hurt and not close to 100%. It's also fair to wonder if this is going to linger for the rest of the season. The idea he was going to be a bell cow (something we thought we were looking at a week or two ago) is going up in smoke. Love seems destined for a lead committee role this year as the Cardinals attempt to keep him as healthy as they can with Tyler Allgeier getting work as well. Love remains a great dynasty prospect but he's simply not going to put up elite level numbers this season as so many had hoped.
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange put himself squarely on the waiver radar with his best game of the season Sunday. He caught seven of eight targets for 95 yards in the win over Cincinnati after entering Week 4 with seven catches for 72 yards through three games. The eight targets were a season high, and Trevor Lawrence leaned on him several times in important spots. Strange now has 14 catches for 167 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets. The breakout is worth chasing in 12-team leagues, where RotoBaller currently has him second among tight end waiver options. The caution is that Jacksonville has several mouths to feed, and Strange is still better viewed as a matchup-based TE2 than an automatic weekly starter. Philadelphia is also a tougher Week 5 draw. Managers who need tight end help should add Strange, but there is no need to treat one big afternoon as a permanent jump into the TE1 tier.
From RotoBaller