Atlanta, GA
Falcons free agency news: Atlanta re-signs DB Kevin King
Recapping each move the Atlanta Falcons have made since the start of 2025 NFL free agency
Even with the 2025 NFL draft kicking off in less than two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons are still making deals in free agency. On Friday, the team added more depth in the secondary by re-signing veteran defensive back Kevin King. The Falcons also brought back Dee Alford and veteran Mike Hughes, both of whom should return to their starting roles in 2025.
With the draft fast approaching, let’s recap each signing the Falcons have made since the start of the new league year, starting with the most recent moves.
Falcons re-sign DB Kevin King on one-year deal
King returns to Atlanta after appearing in five games for the Falcons last season. He recorded 10 tackles (six solo), one interception and a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.7. King can provide more depth behind starters A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes.
Falcons re-sign nickel DB Dee Alford
Alford returns after testing free agency. The team’s starting nickel corner in 2024 should return to his role in 2025. While the team planned to give Clark Phillips III a look in the slot, Alford likely changes those plans in the immediate future.
According to a report from Aaron Wilson, the Falcons are signing tight end Teagan Quitoriano. The 25-year-old was selected by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Oregon State. He spent the last three seasons in Houston, recording nine catches for 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 23 career games (15 starts).
Falcons sign kicker Lenny Krieg to 3-year deal
According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Atlanta Falcons have signed kicker Lenny Krieg to a three-year contract. The German-born kicker impressed at the NFL’s International Player Pathway program pro day.
Falcons sign KR Jamal Agnew to one-year deal
According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the Falcons have signed Pro Bowl kick returner Jamal Agnew to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Agnew previously played for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams in Detroit back in 2020.
Former quarterback-turned-tight end Feleipe Franks has returned to Atlanta. Franks made the Falcons roster as an undrafted free agent in 2021, appearing in nine games as a rookie. Last year, he played in 16 games for the Carolina Panthers.
Vikings sign ex-Falcons WR Rondale Moore
After visiting with four teams in free agency, former Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings. Moore did not play in a game last season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in training camp.
Falcons sign safety Jordan Fuller, per report
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are signing veteran safety Jordan Fuller. The 27-year-old reunited with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was Fuller’s defensive coordinator in Los Angeles when the team won the Super Bowl in 2021.
Linebacker Nate Landman has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The former undrafted free agent was not expected to return to Atlanta once the team declined to sign his free agency tender. Landman, 26, has appeared in 36 games over the last three seasons.
On Monday, the Falcons officially announced a handful of moves that had been previously reported and one new signing. The team officially has brought back veteran defensive lineman Kentavius Street. The 28-year-old appeared in 13 games last season for Atlanta and is a good depth addition after losing Grady Jarrett.
Former Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox is signing with the Falcons on a two-year, $8.5 million contract, according to a report from the NFL Network. Fox, 30, appeared in all 17 games with three starts last season. For his career, he’s recorded 27.5 sacks, 51 QB hits and 33 tackles for loss.
On Friday, the Falcons signed free agent cornerback Keith Taylor. The former Chiefs DB played in 11 games last season for Kansas City. The former fifth-round pick has appeared in 45 games since entering the league in 2021.
According to a report from NFL insider Dianna Russini, former Falcons running back/return specialist has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, Williams returned 20 punts for 185 total yards, while returning 15 kickoffs for another 408 yards (27.2 yards per return).
On Thursday, the team announced it had re-signed veteran offensive lineman Brandon Parker. While he didn’t play in a game for Atlanta last season, he can be a versatile depth piece for the team if he makes the 53-man roster in 2025.
According to Norton’s agency, “JL Sports,” the Falcons are giving the veteran lineman a two-year contract. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, starting four games.
Atlanta brought back linebacker Josh Woods, who appeared in five games for the team last season. While Woods is primarily a special teams contributor, he’s an experienced veteran who adds depth to a defense that looks fairly thin at the moment. The 28-year-old has played for four different teams over his seven-year NFL career.
The Falcons re-signed veteran offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has played at both guard and tackle and started nine games for Atlanta in 2022. After leaving for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, Wilkinson returned to Atlanta last season and appeared in two games.
In the third of the Falcons’ Wednesday evening signings, the team brought back veteran offensive lineman Kyle Hinton. The former seventh-round pick has spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, making just one start. He’s a good depth addition to the interior offensive line.
The Falcons have brought back Pro Bowl wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge on a two-year, $6 million contract. Hodge caught the game-winning touchdown to defeat the Buccaneers in Week 5. The veteran also made several plays on special teams, blocking multiple punts in a Week 15 win over the Raiders.
Atlanta agreed to re-sign veteran defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham shortly after the start of the new league year. Graham, a fifth-round pick from the 2021 NFL draft, has appeared in 49 games with 16 starts. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Falcons agree to terms with CB Mike Ford
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons have agreed to terms with cornerback Mike Ford on a two-year, $4 million contract. Ford played for the team in 2022, appearing in all 17 games with two starts.
Falcons agree to terms with EDGE Leonard Floyd
On Tuesday, the Falcons finally addressed their biggest need, agreeing to terms with veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd on a reported one-year, $10 million contract. The former first-round pick has recorded at least 8.5 sacks in each of the last five seasons.
Falcons agree to terms with CB Mike Hughes
Hughes, 28, returns to Atlanta on a reported three-year, $18 million contract. The veteran cornerback gives the team more stability in the secondary behind A.J. Terrell. The former first-round pick started 15 games for the Falcons last season and played some of the best football of his career.
Falcons agree to terms with LB Divine Deablo
The Falcons agreed to terms with their first free agent on Tuesday morning. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to sign linebacker Divine Deablo to a two-year, $14 million contract. The former third-round pick started 14 games last season for the Raiders. Deablo could be a replacement for Lorenzo Carter, who’s also a free agent.
Richie Grant agrees to terms with San Francisco 49ers
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, former Falcons second-round pick Richie Grant has agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal. Grant, 27, started 32 games for Atlanta from 2022-2023 but lost his job to Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in 2024. Simmons is also a free agent, although the Falcons may choose to go in a different direction or let DeMarcco Hellams take over at strong safety in 2025.
Grady Jarrett agrees to terms with Chicago Bears
The Falcons lost two starters to the Bears on Monday, with veteran Grady Jarrett following Dalman to Chicago on a reported three-year, $43.5 million contract. Jarrett has spent his entire 10-year career in Atlanta and should benefit from playing with a better supporting cast on the Bears.
Drew Dalman agrees to terms with Chicago Bears
As many predicted, the Falcons have lost starting center Drew Dalman to the Chicago Bears. The Bears signed Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract on Monday afternoon. The deal includes $28 million in guaranteed money. Chicago continues to make big moves under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. The Falcons will now need to find a new starting center.
Falcons release DT Grady Jarrett after 10 seasons
Jarrett was released on Monday morning in one of the NFL’s more shocking pre-free agency moves. While an extension was also possible, the Falcons opted to move on from the face of their defense for the last 10 NFL seasons. Jarrett should have plenty of interest around the league as a free agent. The Falcons freed up $16.2 million by cutting the veteran defensive lineman.
Falcons extend LT Jake Matthews on 2-year deal
Matthews signed a two-year, $45 million extension with the team on Sunday evening. According to Over The Cap’s projections, the team saves around $11 million by extending the veteran left tackle. This was the first major move Atlanta made and makes the team cap compliant in time for the start of the new league year.
Falcons sign long snapper Liam McCullough to extension
While not as big as some of these other moves, the Falcons brought back Liam McCullough on a reported four-year extension last week. McCullough has been a steady part of the Atlanta’s special teams unit for the last three seasons. The 27-year-old has quietly done his job and now gets rewarded with a little more job security.
Check out our latest starting lineup projection for the Falcons ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.
Atlanta, GA
Georgia Secretary of State opens investigation into voter registration mailers sent to deceased residents
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Thursday that his office has opened an investigation into Ready to Register and other third-party organizations after reports that voter registration mailers were sent to deceased Georgians and other ineligible recipients.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, election officials have received numerous complaints about voter registration solicitations being mailed to people who have died. In one unusual case cited by the office, a deceased family dog reportedly received one of the mailers.
State officials said they are reviewing whether the mailings violate Georgia law or otherwise undermine confidence in the state’s election system.
The Secretary of State’s Office said third-party voter registration groups frequently conduct mass mail campaigns ahead of major elections but often rely on commercial databases that can contain outdated or inaccurate information, unlike Georgia’s official voter registration system.
“Groups like this highlight the unreliability of commercial data,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “Georgia maintains one of the cleanest voter rolls in the nation through continuous list maintenance and citizenship verification. These outside organizations don’t use those standards. Instead, they flood mailboxes with inaccurate solicitations that confuse voters and waste election officials’ time.”
Raffensperger also thanked voters who alerted his office to the mailings.
“I want to thank the voters who have flagged the inaccurate mailings and sent them to our office,” he said. “Whether checking their ballots for accuracy or keeping their own registration information up to date, voters are a crucial line of defense in election security.”
Georgia officials said the issue mirrors problems recently identified in North Carolina, where election officials warned residents about similar mailings from Ready to Register. According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, North Carolina officials said the organization mailed registration forms to deceased individuals, used outdated forms, listed incorrect election office addresses and included QR codes that raised privacy concerns.
Raffensperger criticized the mass mailing campaigns, saying they create confusion while increasing the workload for local election offices.
“Whether intentional or simply reckless, these mail campaigns operate like a grift — raising money and generating activity while shifting the costs onto taxpayers, election officials, and voters,” Raffensperger said. “Georgia taxpayers should not have to clean up the mess created by organizations that prioritize volume over accuracy.”
The Secretary of State’s Office is encouraging Georgians to verify their voter registration through the state’s My Voter Page and says voters who are already registered at their current address should disregard unsolicited voter registration mailers.
Project aims to curb dengue by releasing millions of mosquitoes
Google-backed researchers are taking an unusual approach to fighting mosquito-borne diseases: releasing more mosquitoes. The effort, known as Debug, is designed to reduce populations of mosquitoes that spread illnesses such as dengue fever by using specially bred male mosquitoes that cannot produce viable offspring.
Fox – 35 Orlando
Mosquitoes in the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta have tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to Fulton County health officials.
Fulton County Board of Health Environmental Health mosquito control staff say the mosquitoes were tested following trapping in Fulton County.
“Mosquitoes can be dangerous if infected and may pose a serious health risk to people in our area,” Environmental Health Director at the Fulton County Board of Health, Brandon Leftwich, said in a statement from the agency. “We want to make sure communities are aware and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.”
Grant Park is in southeast Atlanta, south of Old Fourth Ward and west of East Atlanta.
Here’s what to know.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus is the illness caused by infections from a pathogen in the Flaviviridae family. Mosquitoes are hosts for the pathogen, meaning they can spread it to people and other animals without dying.
It is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the contiguous United States, infecting more than 2,000 people each year. About 1,300 people develop a severe illness, and more than 130 people die annually in the U.S. from the infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It spreads during mosquito season, or the period between June and October each year. Infections typically peak in late August and early September.
Many people infected may never show symptoms, and others will only experience mild, flu-like symptoms. It can take between 2 and 6 days after a mosquito bite to feel poorly, and then people may experience headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Those with mild illness can recover completely, but some fatigue and weakness can last much longer, even weeks or months.
In cases of severe illness, West Nile Virus attacks their central nervous system and can result in hospitalization or death. Patients may experience a very high fever, headaches, neck pain, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness and other serious symptoms. Recovery can take weeks or months, and some effects could become permanent.
How is West Nile Virus treated?
There is no medicine that can treat West Nile Virus, so those with mild symptoms can take over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen to manage pain, fever or headaches. Those with West Nile Virus should not take ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the CDC. Patients should stay hydrated and take lots of rest to let your body fight the virus and recover.
Those with severe illness may need intravenous fluids, pain medication and nursing care at the hospital level, though there is still no medication that can be taken to cure the infection.
It is believed that those who have been infected by West Nile Virus develop a lifelong immunity or protection, meaning they can’t get the virus again, according to the CDC.
How to prevent mosquito bites
Fulton County health officials recommend following the “5Ds of mosquito bite prevention” to keep yourself safe from mosquito-borne illnesses.
- Dusk/Dawn: Avoid being outside during periods when mosquitoes are most active, including in the early morning and as the sun is setting.
- Dress: Loose-fitting clothes and items with long sleeves or pants will reduce the amount of exposed skin for a mosquito bite and make it difficult for a mosquito to bite through clothes.
- DEET: Insect repellant should contain DEET. It is the most effective ingredient in mosquito repellant.
- Drain: Standing water is a great place for mosquitoes to breed, so make sure to dump out water from buckets, barrels, flowerpots and tarps outside that could harbor mosquito larvae. You should also cut overgrown grass or weeds.
- Doors: While it might be nice for a breeze to pass through your house in the evenings, make sure doors and windows are closed and sealed to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
ATLANTA – Atlanta police are searching for three masked men who drove a rental truck directly through the brick wall of a downtown clothing store early Wednesday morning. Investigators say the thieves heavily ransacked the business before making a quick escape.
Atlanta smash-and-grab details
What we know:
The burglary occurred just before 5 a.m. Wednesday at Identity-ATL, a high-end streetwear shop on the 100 block of Walker Street SW. Police say three masked men repeatedly rammed a U-Haul truck into the side of the building, smashing a massive hole in the brick wall.
Store owner Rod Thomas received an urgent call from his alarm company and rushed to his business as fast as he could. The thieves grabbed whatever clothing items they could get their hands on, drove away a white pickup truck, and left behind a pile of rubble.
Shop owners react to destruction
What they’re saying:
Thomas what he saw when he arrived at his store. He worked so hard to build. “I was just speechless, for real,” Thomas said. “I’m just distraught, you know.”
Despite the blow to his storefront, Thomas remains determined to move forward. “I rather they not do that. But I have to move forward,” Thomas said, offering a straightforward message to the thieves: “Do something better. That’s what I would say.”
Phillip Louissaint, who owns Saint’s Professional Grooming barbershop in the same building, said the neighborhood is normally a safe, pleasant place to do business. “It’s very disturbing,” Louissaint said. “Actually, it’s disturbing a little bit. We haven’t had any signs of anything like this happening here.”
Search for masked suspects
What we don’t know:
Police have not yet provided a physical description of the three suspects who remain on the loose. Authorities have also not released an official dollar amount or total value for the clothing items that were stolen during the raid.
No injuries were reported during the crash or the subsequent robbery. Investigators are currently reviewing area surveillance videos to track down the white pickup truck and identify the men responsible.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from store owner Rod Thomas and neighboring business owner Phillip Louissaint, who explained how they experienced the incident.
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