Editor’s note: This is the fifth of an eight-part position-by-position series analyzing the Falcons’ 2021 season under first-year coach Arthur Smith. Today: The defensive line.

The Falcons didn’t pick up the $5.4 million fifth-year option for tight end Hayden Hurst. He appears headed for free agency, along with tight ends Lee Smith and Jaeden Graham. Hurst had the ...

Falcons' last five top picks •2020: CB AJ Terrell, pick No. 16.Had a strong rookie season playing for his hometown team and could emerge as a leader in a young Atlanta secondary. •2019: Chris ...

The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday with nine picks during the three-day event and earned lots of good marks for their first-round pick, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4.

The Falcons past thus far with selecting Pitts hasn't been one of let's say, optimism. That season was the last for Matt Ryan in Atlanta, and from there, the team would turn to Marcus Mariota.

The Atlanta Falcons kick off their 2021 season on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. They named five season-long captains on Wednesday, Atlanta named quarterback Matt Ryan, offensive tackle ...

Atlanta will still rely heavily on the pass, but they need a balance. Davis will be asked to provide that balance. Davis is one of the biggest key X-Factors for the Falcons in 2021.

Atlanta Falcons 2021 draft picks 1st Round, No. 4 overall | Kyle Pitts, WR, Florida. Instant grade: A-plus. NFL DRAFT GRADES: Recap all NFL Draft picks, grades and analysis for all 32 teams.

"Cousins will get his game checks in the amount of $1.52M per week, the Falcons won’t have to worry about Cousins’s presence undermining Penix, and all it takes is one injury to a starting ...

While Hawkins could be a bigger contributor in 2021, Atlanta could still use the draft to add to the secondary, as Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee all departed during free agency. Click ...

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs drills during NFL football practice on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Brynn Anderson/Associated Press ...