5 free-agent WR options for the Falcons ahead of training camp

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons are wrapping up their three-day mandatory minicamp this week in Flowery Branch before going on break for the summer. The team has over a month before training camp begins on July 29, which gives the front office more time to assess the roster.

While the Falcons have added several new faces at wide receiver, including rookie Zachariah Branch, it couldn't hurt to bring in another veteran before camp begins. Atlanta just gave No. 1 wideout Drake London a four-year, $141 million contract extension.

Jahan Dotson is penciled in at the No. 2 slot, but the team shouldn't hesitate to bring in an experienced veteran for some camp competition. Since wide receivers tend to be among the most sought-after players in NFL free agency, there aren't a ton of elite options available.

Nonetheless, there are a few names worth looking at. Here are five veteran wide receivers who could help the Falcons in 2026.

1). WR Keenan Allen​

• Age: 34
• 2025 stats: 81 catches, 777 yards, 4 TD

Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler with over 12,000 career receiving yards. While bigger wide receivers tend to age poorly in the NFL, Allen has been an exception thus far. The 34-year-old has finished with over 700 receiving yards in nine consecutive seasons. The Falcons could use a little more size behind London, and Allen would perfectly complement the team's speedier weapons, including Dotson and Branch.

2). WR Deebo Samuel​

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 72 catches, 727 yards, 5 TD

Deebo Samuel may not be the dual-threat matchup nightmare he was in San Francisco, but he's still a solid No. 2 option. Last year with the Washington Commanders, Samuel recorded 72 grabs for 727 receiving yards and five scores in 16 games. Plus, the 30-year-old is still a capable kickoff and punt returner. Samuel has averaged over 30 yards per kick return over the last two seasons with Commander and 49ers.

3). WR Curtis Samuel​

• Age: 30
• 2025 stats: 7 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD

Samuel has the least name recognition of any receiver on this list, and while he clearly did not live up to expectations over his last two seasons in Buffalo, the former second-round pick has been a competent secondary receiver for much of his career. At worst, Samuel could provide competition and special teams value to Atlanta's wide receiver room.

4). WR Stefon Diggs​

• Age: 32
• 2025 stats: 85 catches, 1,013 yards, 4 TD

Unlike Curtis Samuel, Steven Diggs has both the name recognition and production to immediately upgrade the team's WR corps in 2026. Assuming Diggs is still committed and the team is okay with his recent legal issues, he could provide legitimate value to the Falcons offense. Diggs gave Drake Maye a competent No. 1 option, which helped in the young quarterback's development. Perhaps he could do the same for Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta.

5). WR DeAndre Hopkins​

• Age: 34
• 2025 stats: 22 catches, 330 yards, 2 TD

Hopkins was once in the debate for the NFL's best wide receiver along with former Falcon Julio Jones, but he had an underwhelming season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Wide receivers haven't exactly thrived in that Baltimore offense, and Hopkins' track record (1,006 receptions for 13,295 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns) makes him at least worth kicking the tires on.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Free agent WR targets ahead of training camp

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