The Falcoholic
With Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson only a year removed from the Rams, they might be tempted to bring aboard some familiar faces.
The Atlanta Falcons did not import Los Angeles Rams in free agency last year, a mild surprise given that Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson both came over from the Rams last year as part of a new-look Falcons coaching staff.
That could change in 2025, given who is available for the Rams and the fact that the team already signed former Rams tight end Nikola Kalinic to a reserve/futures deal this calendar year. Given that Morris and Robinson will still have substantial input into this roster—the addition of Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator doesn’t change that—I thought I’d take a quick look at who might be departing Los Angeles and why they could land in Atlanta.
If the Falcons want to upgrade their receiving corps in a way that gives them flexibility to move Drake London and/or Darnell Mooney into the slot more often while bumping Ray-Ray McCloud to an excellent fourth receiver, Robinson would have to be under consideration.
Robinson was a quality deep threat last year for the Rams, pulling in 35 receptions for 602 yards, and has a history of quality pass protection when called upon to do so. He played about a fourth of his snaps out of the slot last year and has played out wide a lot in his career, and while he’s on the older side and doesn’t have eye-popping numbers, that would make him a relatively affordable addition to the receiving corps. The versatility and quality work deep would give this receiving corps a boost, even if Robinson would likely be no better than the third option in this passing game, and Zac Robinson knows him from shared time with the Rams in 2023.
Hoecht chiefly lines up outside, but at close to 270 pounds, he can move around a bit and be effective. He generates modest sack totals—6 under Raheem Morris in 2023, 3 last year—but generates a solid, consistent amount of pressure, plays quality run defense, and is a disciplined player who has been called for just two penalties in 34 games over the past two seasons.
If Jeff Ulbrich likes his fit with the defense—and if Morris wants him in Atlanta—Hoecht would be a relatively affordable addition to a defensive line starved for more help. At 28 years old and with relatively few NFL miles on him, Hoecht would make a lot of sense for the Falcons on something like a three year deal, serving as a rotational piece who can play a major role if called upon to do so.
It was a mild surprise to not see Witherspoon land with the Falcons last year, to be frank. A proven quality starter, Witherspoon appeared in 13 games last year for Los Angeles and started five a year after locking down a starting spot...
