Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 17

The Philadelphia Eagles are trading former first-round receiver Jalen Reagor to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2023 seventh-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round selection, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per sources.

Reagor was taken with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Related players: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Reagor needed a fresh start as he never was able to take off in Philly as a first round pick. Ironically, the Eagles passed on Jefferson that year and drafted Reagor instead, and now the two are teammates. Reagor could battle for a WR3 or WR4 spot with the Vikings but will have a way to go before being fantasy relevant.

Kellen Mond won't get a second season in Minnesota.

The Vikings are waiving the 2021 third-round pick, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per a source informed of the situation.

Related players: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens

As the story put it, we often see new regimes move on from young players they weren't as high on, and this is a good example. The Vikings front office signaled the likely end of Mond's time in Minnesota when it traded for backup Mullens last week.

Heading into their final preseason game, the Chicago Bears' wide receiver depth chart is clear for their top-four options; Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Velus Jones.

An uninspiring group, to say the least. Pringle may technically be operating as the WR2, but all signs point to TE Cole Kmet benefitting from being the second option in the passing game. Pringle does make for an interesting late-round addition in best ball formats.

Falcons players I don’t see in early part of practice (perhaps they show up later):

WR Drake London
DL Marlon Davidson
TE John FitzPatrick
OL Jalen Mayfield
RB Cordarrelle Patterson (rest)

This is the 11th straight day London has missed, which is obviously important time as we get closer to the season. London is still 33rd on our WR rankings making him a lower-end WR3 option. It’s generally a good idea to be careful with rookie receivers, but London is shaping up to be an exception since his ADP is in the seventh round, as long as he can get healthy and ready to play. With Calvin Ridley suspended for the year, it’s going to be the Drake London/Kyle Pitts show in Atlanta. London should soak up 120-140 targets with ease. (Remember, Ridley saw 52 targets in five games last season.) The quarterback situation is unsettled, but Marcus Mariota should be able to hold down the fort while Desmond Ridder figures things out.

WR Kadarius Toney hasn’t participated in any team periods. Hamstring seemed to be bothering him during individual drills.

Related players: Kenny Golladay, Wan'Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Collin Johnson, David Sills

It always seems to be something with Toney. The Giants are deep at WR but they all seem to have their issues. It could be the reason why the team is singing the praises of guys like Johnson and Sills, saying they could not only make the team but also play. Reports say Toney's hamstring isn't serious so the team is maybe just being cautious here.

Thought this comment from Brian Daboll definitely stood out.

“Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their game up. I mean they’re right in the mix. Not just to make a team but to play.”

Related players: Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Wan'Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton

You'll have to search pretty far down the depth chart at WR to find Johnson and Sills. This very well could be coach-speak and a wake-up call for those bigger names ahead of them. The Giants are deep in terms of names at WR, but you can certainly find fault with most of the names too.

Per the article, "At this point, Kmet is the No. 2 pass-catching option in the Bears offense behind No. 1 receiver Darnell Mooney. Fields trusts him, but so does [offensive coordinator Luke] Getsy."

Related Players: Equanimeous St. Brown, Byron Pringle, Velus Jones

It's not as if the team has many other options, but regardless, finding a tight end with a legitimate target floor is difficult to find in fantasy. Cole Kmet was involved in the screen game during the Bears' second preseason game, an area of the field that he was not utilized in during the last coaching regime; his four targets on screens in 2021 ranked 25th amongst NFL tight ends.

Smith underwent surgery on his thumb earlier this offseason, but head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters today that he may avoid missing any time during the regular season.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt, K.J. Osborn

This comes as a relief for fantasy players who miss out on the top-tier of tight ends. All we need is one less option at our disposal in the double-digit rounds. If Irv Smith Jr. is healthy from the start, he makes for an interesting post-hype breakout candidate after he was forced to miss most of the 2021 season due to a torn meniscus. Former Viking Tyler Conklin was able to turn in a TE16 finish on what we presume was a much more run-heavy offense than what the 2022 Minnesota Vikings offense will look like.

Kyle Pitts has been nearly unguardable during the first weeks of training camp. Not only is the second-year TE a mismatch due to his freakish size, he can run right past opposing linebackers and defensive backs with ease.

While this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, it's at least good to hear. As the story added, following an outstanding rookie season, Pitts appears ready to take his game to another level in Year 2. The Falcons lack experience at the wide receiver position so expect QB Marcus Mariota to target Pitts frequently this season, especially in the red zone. Pitts should be drafted as a top TE option and we rank him third on our list with an ADP of the late third in 12-team leagues.

Osborn's continual playmaking in Vikings training camp may see him earn an even bigger role ahead of the 2022 season.

Related Players: Olabisi Johnson, Albert Wilson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette

With the names behind him on the depth chart, I don't think Osborn has anything to worry about as long as he keeps performing; the WR3 spot is all his. New head coach Kevin O'Connell is sure to increase the team's passing rates, and he had warming praise for the receiver here in camp, remarking, "He's been really, really good...There's no other way to describe it early on in camp." With TE Irv Smith still dealing with a thumb issue, Osborn could end up as a consistent third option for Kirk Cousins.