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Falcons free agency news: Atlanta re-signs DB Kevin King

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Atlanta, GA

Previewing the Atlanta Dream’s 2025 season opener

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Previewing the Atlanta Dream’s 2025 season opener


The Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics finished back-to-back in the 2024 standings, with Atlanta sneaking into the 2024 playoffs with a 15-25 record. Atlanta finished just one game ahead of Washington’s 14-26 record after Atlanta beat Washington in overtime in the 38th game of the 40-game season. Both teams underwent coaching changes in the offseason, although Washington seems set up as a more traditional rebuild while Atlanta has pushed its chips in for the 2025 season.

Opponent Preview

The Mystics are led by first-year head WNBA coach Sydney Johnson who played for the Princeton men’s basketball team in the mid-1990s. Johnson has primarily coached men’s college basketball in his career, spending time on the staff for the men’s teams at Georgetown, Princeton (head coach from 2007-2011), Fairfield (head coach from 2011-2019), and Air Force (assistant head coach). He spent the 2024 season as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky after several years working with USA basketball.

Washington had three of the first six draft picks in the 2025 draft, adding guard Sonia Citron from Notre Dame, forward Kiki Iriafen from USC, and Australian guard Georgia Amoore from Kentucky. Although Amoore had an ACL injury in preseason, Citron and Iriafen are both expected to contribute to a lineup returning 2nd-year player Aaliyah Edwards from the University of Connecticut and veterans including Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, and Stefanie Dolson. Unfortunately for the Mystics, Amoore, Edwards, and Austin have all been declared out for the opening games with the Atlanta Dream.

Eight of the WNBA’s thirteen teams will make the playoffs. The Atlanta Dream has the seventh-best championship odds according to odds from DraftKings Sportsbook in early May. The Mystics had the 11th-best odds, only ahead of the chaotic Connecticut Sun and the expansion Golden State Valkyries.

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What to Look For with the Atlanta Dream in 2025

There are several prominent additions to the Atlanta Dream on the player side and coaching staff. New head coach Karl Smesko enters the WNBA after 26 seasons coaching collegiately. He leaves with the thirrd-highest winning percentage among active DI women’s basketball coaches behind just Geno Auriemma and Kim Mulkey.

Smesko is known for an offense prioritizing efficient shots, emphasizing three-point shooting. Atlanta finished towards the bottom of the league in pace and three-point shooting last season, but could be among the league leaders in three-pointers taken, based on their preseason performance. Smesko brought in a collection of new coaching staff members to support him in his debut season with a wide array of professional and collegiate coaching experience.

When it comes to player additions to the Atlanta Dream, the team made some of the biggest splashes in the offseason, especially in the frontcourt. Brittney Griner opted to leave the only team she has ever played for in the Phoenix Mercury to join the Atlanta Dream as a free agent. The broadcasting crew in Atlanta’s preseason game mentioned that Griner gave credit to fellow Unrivaled players Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray for recruiting her to the team.

After announcing Griner’s signing, Atlanta surprised the WNBA by also signing free agent Brionna Jones from the Connecticut Sun. The two players were considered the best available bigs on the free-agent market and it remains to be seen how their playing time will be staggered. In both preseason games, both ‘BG’ and ‘BJ’ were in the starting lineup, but they could be used in a rotation to give Atlanta a reliable threat in the paint.

In the backcourt, Atlanta added Shatori Walker-Kimbrough from the Washington Mystics. Walker-Kimbrough started Atlanta’s second preseason game after starting point guard Jordin Canada’s injury in the first minute of preseason action. Atlanta also utilized rookie Te-Hina Paopao at the guard position throughout the preseason. Paopao surprisingly fell to Atlanta at the 18th pick in the second round of the WNBA draft and may fit well into Smesko’s offense with the outside shooting she developed and demonstrated while playing for Dawn Staley at South Carolina.

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Returning players for Atlanta include All-Stars Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Jordin Canada. Naz Hillmon and Nia Coffey are expected to be heavily involved in Atlanta’s rotation. We will see how quickly the new Dream players Griner, Jones, Walker-Kimbrough, and Paopao can gel alongside the strong community of these five returning players.



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Atlanta, GA

School rallies around 11-year-old Atlanta student shot in the head

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School rallies around 11-year-old Atlanta student shot in the head


An Atlanta elementary school student remains in critical condition after being shot in the head earlier this week. 

What we know:

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The victim has been identified as 11-year-old Messiah Heard, a fourth-grader at KIPP WAYS Academy, who is described by educators and classmates as a bright, joyful child who brought energy and love to every room he entered.

ORIGINAL STORY: 11-year-old boy critically injured in shooting at Atlanta apartment complex

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The shooting occurred Tuesday evening at the Square at Peoplestown Apartments on Hank Aaron Drive. 

According to Atlanta Police, Messiah was shot inside his home around 6 p.m. but have not released details about how the shooting happened or whether a suspect has been identified.

Messiah is currently hospitalized at the Arthur M. Blank Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. 

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What they’re saying:

School officials say his mother and grandmother are at his bedside, along with the school’s principal, who is providing support to the family during this crisis.

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“He was so vibrant and energetic, charismatic and just so loving. The whole school loved him. He was an amazing kid,” said Dr. Travis Barber, a mentor at KIPP WAYS Academy through the One Mo Question Men’s Leadership Program.

The tragedy comes just weeks after the school community mourned the death of another fourth grader, A’Erica Dixon, who was killed when a tree fell on her home during a recent storm.

Tree falls on Atlanta home, kills 10-year-old girl in the middle of the night

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What’s next:

KIPP WAYS has brought in grief counselors and therapists to support students, staff, and families as they cope with the emotional toll of the recent tragedies. Friends and loved ones of Messiah are holding out hope for a miracle and continue to pray for his recovery.

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Jamal Thiare delivers equalizer and Atlanta draws 1-1 with Austin

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Jamal Thiare delivers equalizer and Atlanta draws 1-1 with Austin


Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Substitute Jamal Thiaré scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to lift Atlanta into a 1-1 draw with Austin on Wednesday night.

Thiaré tapped in after Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver failed to stop an attempt by Saba Lobjanidze and Thiaré beat the Austin defenders to the ball for the equalizer.

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Brandon Vazquez scored on a free kick early in the second half to give Austin a 1-0 lead. Vázquez scored from free kick with a right-footed shot from the central position outside the box to the upper right central zone.

Austin’s Stuver had four saves and Brad Guzan saved five shots for Atlanta.

Each team had three shots on goal in the scoreless first half. Austin had a possession percentage of 57%.

The match was the first of three home matches in eight days for Austin, two in the league and one in the U.S. Open Cup.

Austin (5-6-2, 17 points) hosts Vancouver on Saturday.

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Atlanta (2-6-5, 11 points) hosts Philadelphia on Saturday. ___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer




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