Free agency: 5 wide receiver options for the Falcons in 2022

It’s hard to find a single area on the Atlanta Falcons roster that isn’t in need of an upgrade or two, but considering Calvin Ridley‘s uncertain future, the wide receiver position is arguably the team’s top priority.

We’ve already examined some different free-agent quarterback and running back options. Today, we look at five free-agent receivers that would make sense for the Falcons in 2022.

WR - Allen Lazard

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers’ loss on Saturday evening to the San Francisco 49ers could signal the end of Lazard’s time in Green Bay. Not only is the receiver a free agent this offseason, but any attempt by the team to retain him could be nearly impossible as Green Bay is currently $40 million over the cap for next season. And this isn’t including a potential deal for Davante Adams. Lazard has been a sporadically productive player in the Packers offense, and while he’s never been the number one option, he has made some big plays that have contributed to the team’s success.

WR - Sammy Watkins

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Sammy Watkins has played for four teams already, and potentially a fifth in 2022 if he leaves the Ravens. The former first-round selection’s career hasn’t quite lived up to the immense hype he had coming out of Clemson. Watkins could provide the Falcons with a quality No. 2 option, and also be a good mentor if the team drafts another receiver in the early rounds.

WR - Byron Pringle

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With Kansas City already having a plethora of options at wide receiver, Pringle could be looking to move elsewhere to elevate his impact on a team. One area where he excels is his ability to create plays with the ball in his hands. He’s not a true big-bodied receiver, but he is electrifying in space. He also presents a vertical threat that Atlanta will be missing if Ridley doesn’t return in 2022.

WR - A.J. Green

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Taken before Julio Jones in the 2011 NFL draft, A.J. Green is a veteran who can still play at a high level. His 6-foot-4 frame gives him an edge on contested targets even if he’s not the burner he once was. Green hasn’t managed a 1,000-yard season since 2017, but has largely been hindered by injuries and poor QB play in Cincinnati. He had a productive season for Arizona in 2021, finishing with 54 catches for 848 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

WR - Allen Robinson

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

If the Falcons truly want to make a difference at the receiver position, then Allen Robinson should be atop the list of players they try to bring in. The biggest drawback would be how interested the Bears are in retaining their top target. He made it clear he wanted an extension in 2020 but was put off by Chicago handing him a franchise tag (one-year deal) instead. With other top targets dealing with serious knee injuries, the Bears, who have more than enough cap space, could make a huge play to keep Robinson. This could prevent Atlanta from making a competitive offer.

Rest of the free agent WRs

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Below is the long list of receivers set to enter into the free agency pool.

• WR – A.J. Green – Void

• WR – Emmanuel Sanders – Void

• WR – Jakeem Grant – Void

• WR – JuJu Smith-Schuster – Void

• WR – Odell Beckham Jr. – Void

• WR – T.Y. Hilton – Void

• WR – Tre’Quan Smith – Void

• WR – Adam Humphries – UFA

• WR – Albert Wilson – UFA

• WR – Alex Erickson – UFA

• WR – Allen Robinson – UFA

• WR – Andre Roberts – UFA

• WR – Auden Tate – UFA

• WR – Brandon Powell – UFA

• WR – Brandon Zylstra – UFA

• WR – Braxton Berrios – UFA

• WR – Breshad Perriman – UFA

• WR – Byron Pringle – UFA

• WR – C.J. Board – UFA

• WR – Cam Sims – UFA

• WR – Cameron Batson – UFA

• WR – Cedrick Wilson Jr. – UFA

• WR – Chad Beebe – UFA

• WR – Chester Rogers – UFA

• WR – Chris Conley – UFA

• WR – Chris Godwin – UFA

• WR – Chris Moore – UFA

• WR – Christian Kirk – UFA

• WR – D.J. Chark – UFA

• WR – Damiere Byrd – UFA

• WR – Danny Amendola – UFA

• WR – Dante Pettis – UFA

• WR – Davante Adams – UFA

• WR – DeAndre Carter – UFA

• WR – Dede Westbrook – UFA

• WR – Demarcus Robinson – UFA

• WR – DeSean Jackson – UFA

• WR – Equanimeous St. Brown – UFA

• WR – Isaiah Ford – UFA

• WR – Isaiah McKenzie – UFA

• WR – Jake Kumerow – UFA

• WR – James Washington – UFA

• WR – Jamison Crowder – UFA

• WR – Jaydon Mickens – UFA

• WR – John Ross – UFA

• WR – Josh Gordon – UFA

• WR – Josh Reynolds – UFA

• WR – Kalif Raymond – UFA

• WR – Keelan Cole – UFA

• WR – Kenny Stills – UFA

• WR – KhaDarel Hodge – UFA

• WR – Laquon Treadwell – UFA

• WR – Mack Hollins – UFA

• WR – Malik Turner – UFA

• WR – Marcus Johnson – UFA

• WR – Marcus Kemp – UFA

• WR – Marquez Valdes-Scantling – UFA

• WR – Marquise Goodwin – UFA

• WR – Matt Slater – UFA

• WR – Michael Gallup – UFA

• WR – Mike Thomas – UFA

• WR – Mike Williams – UFA

• WR – Mohamed Sanu – UFA

• WR – Noah Brown – UFA

• WR – Rashard Higgins – UFA

• WR – Ray-Ray McCloud – UFA

• WR – Richie James – UFA

• WR – Russell Gage – UFA

• WR – Ryan Switzer – UFA

• WR – Sammy Watkins – UFA

• WR – Tajae Sharpe – UFA

• WR – Tavon Austin – UFA

• WR – Travis Benjamin – UFA

• WR – Trent Sherfield – UFA

• WR – Will Fuller – UFA

• WR – Zach Pascal – UFA

• WR – Zay Jones – UFA

• WR – Justin Watson – SFA

• WR – Tommylee Lewis – SFA

• WR – Allen Lazard – RFA

• WR – Ashton Dulin – RFA

• WR – Christian Blake – RFA

• WR – Deonte Harris – RFA

• WR – Diontae Spencer – RFA

• WR – Greg Ward – RFA

• WR – Gunner Olszewski – RFA

• WR – Jakobi Meyers – RFA

• WR – Lil’Jordan Humphrey – RFA

• WR – Olamide Zaccheaus – RFA

• WR – Preston Williams – RFA

• WR – Stanley Morgan – RFA

• WR – Antoine Wesley – ERFA

• WR – David Sills – ERFA

• WR – Davion Davis – ERFA

• WR – Ja’Marcus Bradley – ERFA

• WR – Jalen Guyton – ERFA

• WR – Jauan Jennings – ERFA

• WR – Jeff Smith – ERFA

• WR – Jesper Horsted – ERFA

• WR – Jody Fortson – ERFA

• WR – John Ursua – ERFA

• WR – Malik Taylor – ERFA

• WR – Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – ERFA

• WR – Penny Hart – ERFA

• WR – Quartney Davis – ERFA

• WR – River Cracraft – ERFA

• WR – Terry Godwin – ERFA

• WR – Tom Kennedy – ERFA

• WR – Trenton Irwin – ERFA

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