AUGUST 14, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
ATLANTA FALCONS 6-5 · 1ST IN NFC SOUTH
6-5 · 1ST IN NFC SOUTH
Next Game vs Chargers · Sun 6:00PM
ATL +1.0 TOTAL 47.5
Falcons PFF grades: Top 25 offensive players from preseason debut Falcons QB Marcus Mariota and LT Jake Matthews were the team’s highest-rated offensive players in PFF’s Week 1 preseason grades.
Jared Bernhardt - Plays hero with game-winning catch Bernhardt caught his only target for 21 yards and a touchdown during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Bernhardt played just nine snaps (seven offensive) but made the play of the night, catching a jump ball from rookie quarterback Desmond for the game-winning touchdown on a fourth-and-nine play with under two minutes left. The rookie wideout was a star lacrosse player at Maryland before transferring to Ferris State to play quarterback. After excelling as a dual-threat weapon, the 6-foot-1 athlete will try his hand at wide receiver for Atlanta, though he'll likely face an uphill battle to make the initial 53-man roster after the Falcons invested heavily in their wideout corps this offseason.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dee Alford - Shines in preseason opener Alford collected eight tackles (six solo) and one interception during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Alford operated as a backup to Casey Hayward and A.J. Terrell but ended up playing the majority of the game (46 defensive snaps). The undrafted cornerback out of Tusculum hasn't made much noise during training camp, but he made his presence felt during his first NFL action, finishing with a team-high eight tackles. He also arguably made the play of the game when he blanketed Kalil Pimpleton and dove to intercept a Tim Boyle pass during the Lions' first drive of the second half. Behind Hayward and Terrell, the Falcons' cornerback depth is questionable, so Alford should get plenty of opportunities to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Parker Hesse - Catches touchdown Friday Hesse caught one of two targets for one yard and a touchdown during Friday's preseason contest against the Lions.
Impact Hesse operated as the top backup tight end behind Kyle Pitts and Anthony Firkser and totaled 27 snaps (22 offensive). His touchdown came in the second quarter and was rookie Desmond Ridder's first touchdown in NFL action. Hesse appeared in eight games for Atlanta last year and caught five of six targets for 43 yards. The undrafted tight end out of Iowa figures to garner a similar role in 2022, but he faces stiff training camp competition from veteran MyCole Pruitt and training-camp darling Feleipe Franks.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Caleb Huntley - Team-high eight rushes Friday Huntley ran eight times for 18 yards during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Despite his team-high eight rushes, Huntley didn't have much success during the preseason opener. The undrafted free agent out of Ball State signed a futures deal with Atlanta in January, but he'll have a difficult time making the 53-man roster, especially if converted running back Avery Williams continues to turn heads during training camp.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Henry Black - Four tackles in preseason opener Black recorded four tackles across 31 defensive snaps during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Black signed a contract with the Falcons in July after a short stint with the Giants, but he has an uphill battle to make Atlanta's initial 53-man roster. The undrafted safety out of Baylor appeared in 17 games for the Packers last year and totaled 38 tackles and one interception across 248 defensive snaps.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Reveals 'Big Brother' Relationship with Marcus Mariota Ridder and Mariota spent much of the offseason competing for the starting quarterback job.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Dorian Etheridge - Seven tackles in preseason opener Etheridge posted seven tackles (two solo) across 33 defensive snaps during Friday's preseason loss to the Lions.
Impact Etheridge operated as a backup linebacker, playing 42 percent of Atlanta's defensive snaps, and finished second on the team in tackles behind Dee Alford. As a rookie undrafted free agent last year, Etheridge played exclusively on special teams across seven appearances.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons Rookie Report: Desmond Ridder Rises, Drake London Hurt A lot to like from the Falcons rookie class, but there’s a little concern there.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Richie Grant - Plays 12 snaps in preseason opener Grant played 12 defensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Friday's preseason loss to the Lions.
Impact Grant drew the start at strong safety and played 12 snaps across two defensive possessions. The 2021 second-round pick appeared in 16 games as a rookie and totaled 35 tackles. He never settled into a starter's role last year, but with Atlanta in the midst of a rebuild, it appears he'll get a shot to seize a starting gig to start 2022.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Adetokunbo Ogundeji - Draws start in preseason opener Ogundeji played seven snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Ogundeji was listed as the starting outside linebacker opposite of Lorenzo Carter and, along with the rest of the starters, played just one defensive series. The 2021 fifth-round pick appeared in 17 games as a rookie and registered 33 tackles and one sack. However, with Dante Fowler gone, Ogundeji appears to have a good shot at opening the 2022 season with an increased role along Atlanta's defensive front.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Mykal Walker - Plays one series Friday Walker registered one tackle across 10 defensive snaps during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Walker, along with the rest of Atlanta's starting defense, played just one drive, which ultimately ended in a Detroit touchdown. The 2020 fourth-round pick has appeared in every game for the Falcons since being drafted but saw more time on special teams (385 snaps) than he did on defense (186) last year. However, with Foye Oluokun gone and Deion Jones' (shoulder) future uncertain, Walker has a chance to open the 2022 campaign with a sizable role.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
A.J. Terrell - Plays 10 snaps in preseason opener Terrell recorded one tackle across 10 defensive snaps during Friday's preseason opener against the Lions.
Impact Terrell, along with the majority of the defensive starters, played just one drive, which ultimately ended in a Lions touchdown. Nevertheless, the 2020 first-round pick is coming off back-to-back strong campaigns and figures to be a top-tier IDP option at cornerback in 2022. Atlanta's secondary as a whole will look to improve upon last year's performance after signing veteran cornerback Casey Hayward in free agency.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder come up aces; Matt Corral flops: Grading NFL rookie QB preseason debuts From Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett to 49ers "Mr. Irrelevant" Brock Purdy, TSN breaks down how rookie QBs fared in their first NFL...
AUGUST 14, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Despite Early Exit, Falcons Rookie WR Drake London Flashes Potential London exited early with a knee injury but showed Falcons fans what to expect from him.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Lions Grades: Defense Flops, Offense Gives Reason for Hope Here are the Detroit Lions’ offensive and defensive positional group grades, after their preseason loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Lions Grades: Defense Flops, Offense Gives Reason for Hope Here are the Detroit Lions’ offensive and defensive positional group grades, after their preseason loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Every pass and run from Desmond Ridder's NFL debut | Preseason Week 1 Watch every pass and run from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in his NFL debut during Preseason Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season vs....
AUGUST 13, 2022 • NFL.COM
'I Believe In His Hype': Cowboys Ex Dez Bryant Shares His Thoughts on Falcons QB Competition Bryant’s verdict is in after watching Friday’s preseason win against Detroit.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Highlights | Top moments from Desmond Ridder's NFL debut Falcons vs. Lions Preseason Week 1 Watch every pass and run from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in his NFL debut during Preseason Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season vs....
AUGUST 13, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Lions Rookie Report: How 2022 Draft Class Fared against Falcons Detroit Lions rookies are getting an opportunity to prove themselves.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Lions Rookie Report: How 2022 Draft Class Fared against Falcons Detroit Lions rookies are getting an opportunity to prove themselves.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Desmond Ridder Comeback Win: Falcons Look Into Franchise Future? Desmond Ridder’s game-winning drive might just be a glimpse into the Falcons future.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Desmond Ridder Comeback Win: Falcons Look Into Franchise Future? Desmond Ridder’s game-winning drive might just be a glimpse into the Falcons future.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Snap Counts: Falcons-Lions A review of the Detroit Lions’ snap counts against the Atlanta Falcons.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
