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The Atlanta Falcons have over a month to evaluate their roster before the players report for training camp in July, and there are a few areas that first-year general manager Ian Cunningham could look to address. The team just handed out massive contract extensions to Drake London and Kyle Pitts, but Atlanta still lacks depth at wide receiver.
While there are a few decent free-agent wide receiver options available, one name to keep an eye on is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The former first-round pick has been at odds with the 49ers after missing all of the 2025 NFL season.
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay listed Aiyuk as one of five likely cut candidates ahead of training camp.
"Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his final snap with the San Francisco 49ers, but the organization isn't rushing to outright release the receiver and hasn't relented on a potential trade," wrote Kay. "If Aiyuk gets his wishes and becomes a free agent, he should have no shortage of suitors looking to scoop a star receiver still in their prime for cheap. While injuries have kept him off the field since midway through the 2024 campaign, Aiyuk put up 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 75 catches in 2023—his most recent healthy season."
Assuming he is released, Aiyuk would be an interesting fit in Atlanta. The team signed Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, but both players finished with under 400 receiving yards last season. Meanwhile, Aiyuk's production speaks for itself.
"With career numbers of 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns on 294 catches over his first 69 games, Aiyuk has the stuff to be a solid No. 1 WR or top-flight No. 2 for many teams," Kay concluded.
The Falcons could certainly use a top-flight No. 2 wide receiver, it just depends on whether or not they feel Aiyuk is a good fit. The team had issues with Ray-Ray McCloud last season, but the offense struggled after releasing the veteran wideout.
Aiyuk would immediately overtake Dotson as the team's No. 2 weapon behind London. With Pitts under contract for three more seasons, adding Aiyuk could give the Falcons an elite three-headed monster to complement running back Bijan Robinson.
Plus, signing another wide receiver would give the team more time to develop third-round pick Zachariah Branch, who will likely compete with Zaccheaus for the starting slot receiver job. Atlanta currently has around $27 million in cap space available, per Over The Cap.
We'll see if Cunningham has another bold move up his sleeve before training camp begins on July 29.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons should target 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk once released
Continue reading...
While there are a few decent free-agent wide receiver options available, one name to keep an eye on is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The former first-round pick has been at odds with the 49ers after missing all of the 2025 NFL season.
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay listed Aiyuk as one of five likely cut candidates ahead of training camp.
"Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his final snap with the San Francisco 49ers, but the organization isn't rushing to outright release the receiver and hasn't relented on a potential trade," wrote Kay. "If Aiyuk gets his wishes and becomes a free agent, he should have no shortage of suitors looking to scoop a star receiver still in their prime for cheap. While injuries have kept him off the field since midway through the 2024 campaign, Aiyuk put up 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 75 catches in 2023—his most recent healthy season."
Assuming he is released, Aiyuk would be an interesting fit in Atlanta. The team signed Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, but both players finished with under 400 receiving yards last season. Meanwhile, Aiyuk's production speaks for itself.
"With career numbers of 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns on 294 catches over his first 69 games, Aiyuk has the stuff to be a solid No. 1 WR or top-flight No. 2 for many teams," Kay concluded.
The Falcons could certainly use a top-flight No. 2 wide receiver, it just depends on whether or not they feel Aiyuk is a good fit. The team had issues with Ray-Ray McCloud last season, but the offense struggled after releasing the veteran wideout.
Aiyuk would immediately overtake Dotson as the team's No. 2 weapon behind London. With Pitts under contract for three more seasons, adding Aiyuk could give the Falcons an elite three-headed monster to complement running back Bijan Robinson.
Plus, signing another wide receiver would give the team more time to develop third-round pick Zachariah Branch, who will likely compete with Zaccheaus for the starting slot receiver job. Atlanta currently has around $27 million in cap space available, per Over The Cap.
We'll see if Cunningham has another bold move up his sleeve before training camp begins on July 29.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons should target 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk once released
Continue reading...
