Updated July 19, 2026, 4:17 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons have less than a week before players begin reporting to Flowery Branch for the start of training camp. While the team did a decent job of filling needs despite limited resources, the Falcons roster could still use a few tweaks before camp begins.
One obvious hole that the team could look to fill is at the wide receiver position. The Falcons drafted Zachariah Branch and signed three undrafted free agent wide receivers, but it’s fair to question if they did enough. After all, the team released Darnell Mooney and signed Jahan Dotson as a replacement.
Atlanta is banking on Dotson taking that next step as the team’s No. 2 wide receiver, but the former first-round pick’s track record suggests otherwise. Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus is a solid depth piece, but that’s about it.
In today’s free-agent feature, we examine five wide receiver options for the Falcons before training camp begins next week.
1). Keenan AllenAge: 342025 stats: 81 catches, 777 yards, 4 TDExpert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler with over 12,000 career receiving yards. While bigger wide receivers tend to age poorly in the NFL, Allen has been an exception thus far. The 34-year-old has finished with over 700 receiving yards in nine consecutive seasons. The Falcons could use a little more size behind London, and Allen would perfectly complement the team’s speedier weapons, including Dotson and Branch.
2). Deebo SamuelAge: 302025 stats: 72 catches, 727 yards, 5 TD
Deebo Samuel may not be the dual-threat matchup nightmare he was in San Francisco, but he’s still a solid No. 2 option. Last year with the Washington Commanders, Samuel recorded 72 grabs for 727 receiving yards and five scores in 16 games. Plus, the 30-year-old is still a capable kickoff and punt returner. Samuel has averaged over 30 yards per kick return over the last two seasons with Commander and 49ers.
3). Curtis SamuelAge: 302025 stats: 7 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
Samuel has the least name recognition of any receiver on this list, and while he clearly did not live up to expectations over his last two seasons in Buffalo, the former second-round pick has been a competent secondary receiver for much of his career. At worst, Samuel could provide competition and special teams value to Atlanta’s wide receiver room.
4). Stefon DiggsAge: 322025 stats: 85 catches, 1,013 yards, 4 TD
Unlike Curtis Samuel, Steven Diggs has both the name recognition and production to immediately upgrade the team’s WR corps in 2026. Assuming Diggs is still committed and the team is okay with his recent legal issues, he could provide legitimate value to the Falcons offense. Diggs gave Drake Maye a competent No. 1 option, which helped in the young quarterback’s development. Perhaps he could do the same for Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta.
5). DeAndre HopkinsAge: 342025 stats: 22 catches, 330 yards, 2 TD
Hopkins was once in the debate for the NFL’s best wide receiver along with former Falcon Julio Jones, but he had an underwhelming season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Wide receivers haven’t exactly thrived in that Baltimore offense, and Hopkins’ track record (1,006 receptions for 13,295 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns) makes him at least worth kicking the tires on.
