Falcons open camp with low expectations, open positions
Coach Arthur Smith wants to see improvement from last year’s 7-10 record even though conventional wisdom says the Atlanta Falcons will backslide in 2022JULY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS #14 - WIDE RECEIVER - WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
176 YDS •
19 REC •
0 TD
176 YDS
19 REC
0 TD
Olamide Zaccheaus on wide receiver competition at AT&T Training Camp | Press conference Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus speaks to the media about competition
JULY 26, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Falcons Receivers Drake London and Olamide Zaccheaus Reveal Thoughts on QB Battle How do London and Zaccheaus feel about quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder?
JUNE 23, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus: 'I Think We're a Playoff Team' The Falcons are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
JUNE 22, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Cover 9@9: Olamide Zaccheaus on Falcons: 'We can shock a lot of people' 1. The no-spin zone: Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus had a taste of being in the playoff chase last season.
JUNE 22, 2022 • AJC.COM
Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Has 'Great Appreciation' For WR Olamide Zaccheaus Smith raved about Zaccheaus prior to the conclusion of OTAs.
JUNE 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Falcons acquire WR Edwards from Raiders, cut CB Sheffield
The Atlanta Falcons have bolstered their thin ranks at receiver by acquiring Bryan Edwards from the Las Vegas RaidersMAY 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falcons' London embraces health, contract at rookie minicamp
Drake London celebrated good health and a new contract on the first day of the Atlanta Falcons’ rookie minicampMAY 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falls to No. 2 on depth chart Zaccheaus will fall to No. 2 on the depth chart after the Falcons drafted Drake London with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Impact Zaccheaus signed a $2.433 million RFA tender from the Falcons this offseason and was the de facto No. 1 wideout for awhile with Russell Gage leaving for Tampa Bay and Calvin Ridley suspended for the entire 2022 season. However, the landscape of Atlanta's wide receiver depth chart changed after its selection of London in the first round. Zaccheaus appeared in every game last season and finished with 31 catches on 53 targets for 406 yards and three touchdowns -- all career highs. Matt Ryan previously relied heavily on his runnings backs and tight ends, which impacted Zaccheaus' overall fantasy potential, and it's unlikely Marcus Mariota's passing attack changes things for the 5-foot-8 receiver, especially given London (ankle) and Kyle Pitts will garner the majority of targets for the foreseeable future.
MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons draft USC WR London, get much-needed big-play threat
The Atlanta Falcons continued to emphasize their passing game by selecting Southern California wide receiver Drake London with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draftAPRIL 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falcons Sign Olamide Zaccheaus; Bigger Role in 2022? The Atlanta Falcons are bringing back a potential starting wide receiver.
APRIL 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Falcons Sign Olamide Zaccheaus; Bigger Role in 2022? The Atlanta Falcons are bringing back a potential starting wide receiver.
APRIL 19, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Signs tender with Falcons Zaccheaus signed his contract with the Falcons on Tuesday.
Impact Previously a restricted free agent, Zaccheaus apparently was unable to find an offer that beat the $2.433 million RFA tender from the Falcons. He'd also have a hard time finding a better chance to earn snaps and targets, considering Russell Gage left for the divison-rival Bucs and Calvin Ridley is suspended for the entire 2022 season. The Falcons still figure to add more receivers before Week 1, but Zaccheaus could nonetheless be in the mix for a starting job, joined by a cast of journeymen that includes Damiere Byrd, KhaDarel Hodge and Auden Tate.
APRIL 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus has signed tender Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has signed his right-of-refusal tender and will remain in Atlanta for another season.
APRIL 19, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Falcons tender WR Olamide Zaccheaus Zaccheaus made eight starts in 2021, played in all 17 games for the Falcons
MARCH 15, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Tendered by Atlanta The Falcons tendered Zaccheaus at the right of first refusal level Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact The transaction sets Zaccheaus up for a $2.433 million salary in the 2022 season, unless any teams attempt to enter a bidding contest for his services. With Calvin Ridley (suspension) out for all of next season and Russell Gage on the move, Atlanta could scarce afford to part ways with a wideout already familiar with the offensive scheme. Zaccheaus, who has spent his entire NFL tenure with the Flacons since going undrafted out of Virginia back in 2019, logged a career-best 31-406-3 statline in 2021.
MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons
The NFL's suspension of wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least the 2022 season for betting on games last season makes the position an area of increased emphasis for the Atlanta F...MARCH 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Catches three passes in loss Zaccheaus caught all three of his targets for 47 yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.
Impact Zaccheaus finished second on the team in receiving yards behind Russell Gage (126), as Matt Ryan couldn't get on the same page with rookie tight end Kyle Pitts (two catches on five targets for eight yards). The third-year wideout finished the 2021 campaign with 31 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns, but he failed to take advantage of increased opportunities after Calvin Ridley (personal) left the team ahead of Week 8. Zaccheaus is set to become a free agent this offseason, but it's unclear what type of market he will draw, so a potential return to Atlanta certainly isn't out of the question, especially if Ridley isn't going to return in 2022.
JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Non-factor in loss Zaccheaus caught two of three targets for eight yards during Sunday's 29-15 loss to the Bills.
Impact With Calvin Ridley (personal) still away from the team and Tajae Sharpe (illness) in COVID-19 protocols, Zaccheaus once again drew the start opposite Russell Gage. However, despite playing 51 of Atlanta's 53 offensive snaps, the 5-foot-8 wideout was unable to crack fantasy relevancy as Kyle Pitts (69 yards) and Russell Gage (50 yards) dominated Matt Ryan's attention. Zaccheaus continues to garner plenty of snaps but has failed to generate any consistent production, making him a risky fantasy option against the Saints in Week 18.
JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Two catches in win Zaccheaus caught two of his four targets for 32 yards during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions.
Impact With Calvin Ridley (personal) away from the team and Tajae Sharpe (foot) sidelined for Week 16, Zaccheaus drew the start opposite of Russell Gage. However, Matt Ryan once again relied heavily on his tight ends, as Kyle Pitts (6 catches for 102 yards) and Hayden Hurst (two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown) were the most productive fantasy pass catchers for the Falcons on Sunday. Zaccheaus continues to garner plenty of snaps, but he has failed to develop any consistent production, making him a risky fantasy option against the Bills in Week 17.
DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Likely set for starting assignment Zaccheaus is expected to start and could play heavy snaps opposite top receiver Russell Gage in Week 16 with Tajae Sharpe (foot) listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Li...
Impact Zaccheaus has already been hovering between 40 and 62 percent snap shares in each of the past eight weeks while Calvin Ridley (personal) has been away from the team, averaging 3.1 targets per game during that stretch. The 24-year-old could now get the opportunity to see both his playing time and targets tick up another notch, as Christian Blake and Frank Darby -- who have combined to play 82 snaps on offense all season -- represent the only other receivers on the roster who might help fill in for Sharpe. Bair speculates that the Falcons may also have running back Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Kyle Pitts line up at receiver spots more often to help compensate for the expected absences of Ridley and Sharpe.
DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Breaking down Olamide Zaccheaus' 49 yard catch against the 49ers ' Film Review D.J. Shockley breaks down the play that ended in a 49 yard reception for Olamide Zaccheaus. On the other side of the ball, Shockley breaks d...
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Red-zone woes move Falcons closer to another losing season
Red-zone failures have left the Atlanta Falcons facing elimination from playoff contentionDECEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two catches in loss Zaccheaus caught both of his targets for 53 yards during Sunday's 31-13 loss to the 49ers.
Impact Zaccheaus wasn't targeted in the first half, but on the Falcons' second drive of the third quarter, Matt Ryan found the 5-foot-8 wideout deep down the middle of the field for 49 yards. Russell Gage (11 targets) and Kyle Pitts (seven targets) continue to dominate the majority of Ryan's attention, as no one else saw more than two targets. As long as Calvin Ridley (personal) remains away from the team, Zaccheaus will likely garner plenty of snaps, but he hasn't proven to be a consistent fantasy option at any point this season.
DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sideline Access: Matt Ryan throws a bomb to Olamide Zaccheaus Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a bomb down the field to Olamide Zaccheaus against the San Fransisco 49ers.
DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
