The Atlanta Falcons have a growing wide receiver problem. Tuesday the team announced they would be releasing wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. This comes while fifth-year receiver Darnell Mooney has struggled to stay healthy this season, recording just ten catches as we approach the halfway point of the year.
The Falcons are 3-3 on the year with just one real threat at the wide receiver position. A group that was seen as a strength during the offseason has quickly become the team’s single biggest weakness.
The good news is, there has never been a better time to need a wide receiver. This year’s NFL trade deadline is riddled with proven talent. Jaylen Waddle, Jakobi Meyers, and Chris Olave all headline the deadline crew.
But I’m more interested in a lower cost, lower risk investment. It involves a former Falcons’ first round draft pick who now finds his talents wasted on the league’s worst team, Calvin Ridley.
Atlanta Falcons Receive: WR Calvin Ridley
Tennessee Titans Receive: 2026 7th Round Pick
Are The Falcons Buyers Or Sellers?
The Falcons have one of the best defenses in the NFL, as was expected. The offense has been severely limited by the wide receiver room, but running back Bijan Robinson has looked like the league MVP through six games. They need offensive help, period. Drake London and Kyle Pitts cannot be the only viable options for second year gunslinger Michael Penix.
However, some don’t agree. The Athletic’s journalist, Josh Kendall, believes the Dirty Birds should “stand pat”.
“The Falcons could have convinced themselves to be buyers if they had won Sunday night in San Francisco, and they could really use wide receiver help, considering Darnell Mooney’s injury-hampered season and Tuesday’s release of Ray-Ray McCloud,” Kendall writes. “However, this team is too inconsistent to give away any more future assets on what at this point is a blind hope that it will figure things out. Remember, the Falcons already are without their 2026 first-round pick because of the James Pearce Jr. trade.”
While I agree that the Falcons’ draft capital is a nightmare, good players are never cheaper than they are in the middle of the season. The Falcons receiving troubles aren’t going to magically go away.
The best time to add talent to this roster is right now. And right now, this receiving room is lifeless.
Calvin Ridley’s Contract Is A Nightmare
If there is a knock on a Calvin Ridley deal, it’s his contract. After posting a 1,000 yard season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley was awarded handsomely. He inked a four-year, $92 million deal to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He delivered in his first season with the team, posting a second straight 1k season.
But now, after firing their second year head coach, this contract feels more like a liability than anything else.
The good news, his deal does include a potential out in 2026. However, this is still a hefty ask for a trade partner to take on.
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