{"id":954007,"date":"2026-07-24T07:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/954007\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T07:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:24:18","slug":"atlanta-falcons-recap-cash-jones-to-make-roster-bijan-for-mvp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/954007\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Falcons Recap: Cash Jones to make roster? Bijan for MVP?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated July 23, 2026, 6:32 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

It may be hard to believe but the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> are one day away from having their rookies report to Flowery Branch for training camp. It’s been a long summer, and while there’s still over a month before the regular season begins, the start of camp is a major milestone for NFL teams.<\/p>\n

The Falcons have their hands full with a new head coach, quarterback competition and several undrafted free agents fighting for roster spots. It all starts next Wednesday, July 29. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve rounded up the latest stories to help you through the home stretch.<\/p>\n

In today’s Falcons Wire<\/a> Recap, Bleacher Report likes Cash Jones’ roster chances, ESPN highlights three players to watch in training camp, CBS Sports ranks Atlanta’s last seven first-round picks, and Bijan Robinson gets MVP hype from NFL.com.<\/p>\n

Cash Jones named UDFA with best chance to make team<\/p>\n

Bleacher Report’<\/a>s Gary Davenport listed Jones as Atlanta’s undrafted free agent with the best chance of making the roster in training camp.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

“Cash Jones has a fantastic football name, but he wasn’t a huge factor offensively over five seasons at Georgia\u2014just 107 total touches,”\u00a0wrote Davenport<\/a>. “To his credit, though, he made the most of the touches he did get\u2014he’s a capable receiver out of the backfield and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Where Jones really stood out was on special teams, and his extensive experience on both kickoff and punt coverage could carve a path for him into the NFL.”<\/p>\n

NFL.com lists Falcons’ non-QB MVP candidate<\/p>\n

NFL..com’s Kevin Patra identified each team’s\u00a0non-QB MVP<\/a>\u00a0candidate for the 2026 season and Robinson was an easy pick for Atlanta. Could Robinson threaten NFL legend Chris Johnson’s yards-from-scrimmage record this year?<\/p>\n

“The game’s most electric runner should fit perfectly into Kevin Stefanski’s wide-zone-centric offense,” wrote Patra. “At the foundation of his offense is the ground game, with play-action and boots as counters. Robinson has a chance to improve on his back-to-back seasons with 1,400-plus ground yards, potentially putting him in position to win his first rushing title. He also could threaten Chris Johnson’s single-season scrimmage-yards record (2,509).”<\/p>\n

ESPN names 3 Falcons to watch at training camp<\/p>\n

In a new\u00a0training camp preview for<\/a>\u00a0ESPN<\/a>, Falcons beat writer Marc Raimondi named tight end Kyle Pitts, edge James Pearce Jr. and rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch as his three players to keep an eye on this summer.<\/p>\n

“The rookie has been projected to be a smaller\u00a0Tyreek Hill,” Raimondi wrote. “Tagovailoa said Branch actually reminds him of\u00a0Jaylen Waddle. Branch has incredible speed and strength, especially for being 5-10. He’s a playmaker and could be a gadget guy who opens up the offense for running back\u00a0Bijan Robinson, wide receiver\u00a0Drake London\u00a0and Pitts.”<\/p>\n

CBS Sports ranks Falcons’ last 7 first-round picks<\/p>\n

CBS Sports<\/a>‘ Mike Renner ranked all 191 first-round draft picks since 2020. The Falcons have had seven first-round selections over that span. Cornerback A.J. Terrell and linebacker Jalon Walker were listed as Atlanta’s top two picks, followed by Drake London. Check out where all seven Falcons players were ranked below.<\/p>\n

22: CB A.J. Terrell46:\u00a0LB Jalon Walker49:\u00a0WR Drake London64:\u00a0RB Bijan Robinson139:\u00a0DE James Pearce Jr.154:\u00a0QB Michael Penix Jr.159:\u00a0TE Kyle PittsFalcons QB competition ranked top NFC South storyline<\/p>\n

If the Falcons could just find a competent and reliable starting quarterback, they’d be a real danger to conference contenders. The competition to decide who will start between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa has been named the biggest roster\u00a0decision<\/a> that will be made in training camp\u00a0in the entire division, per Moe Moton at Bleacher Report.<\/p>\n

“Michael Penix Jr. is the 26-year-old incumbent with upside,” wrote Moton<\/a>. “After six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa brings a wealth of experience, starting in 76 career games… Because of Penix’s extended absence, Tagovailoa may win this battle by default. He could experience a career revival under Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year.”<\/p>\n

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