Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr. failed to reach 100 carries for the first time in his career in his lone season with the 49ers in 2025. With injuries hitting the team hard, four-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey was one of the few players to stay healthy wire-to-wire, limiting Robinson's opportunities in what has long been viewed as one of fantasy's most valuable insurance roles. In signing a one-year deal with the Falcons, Robinson again finds himself as a high-value handcuff, this time to two-time Pro Bowler Bijan Robinson, who has not missed a start through his first three seasons in the league. While the incumbent Robinson has seen heavier usage year after year, there has still been enough remaining opportunity for his primary backup to see some standalone fantasy value, with Tyler Allgeier averaging 117.9 fantasy points across their three seasons together. A new coaching staff in Atlanta could ultimately prove to make any past workload splits moot, but as RotoBaller's RB46, Robinson Jr. is projected to have some flex appeal in 2026 with obvious week-winning upside should an unfortunate injury force him to take on a larger role
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James did not record a single offensive statistic as a fifth-round rookie in 2025. While the 49ers dealt with a string of high-profile injuries throughout the year, one player who remained almost surprisingly healthy was four-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. At 29 years old, the ninth-year veteran handled the largest workload of his career on the way to an RB1 fantasy finish, limiting primary backup Brian Robinson Jr. to only 92 carries in his lone season with the team. With Robinson departing in free agency, James will battle 2026 third-round pick Kaelon Black for those primary backup responsibilities, and with McCaffrey another year older with a spotty history of stringing together heavy-touch seasons, it remains arguably the most valuable handcuff role in fantasy. The 49ers will hold their first public training camp practice on Sunday, and while it may still be some time before they don pads for the first time, the battle between San Francisco's two young runners will be one to pay close attention to. In the meantime, James is worthy of a late-round dart throw at the end of drafts as RotoBaller's RB56
Even when the San Francisco 49ers had a historic 2023 season offensively, they ranked 25th in DVOA in special teams. They were bottom-three in net kickoff and punt returns. You didn’t notice the poor field position or sloppy returns because you knew the offense would make up for it and get to midfield in a matter of plays. In a mess of a 2024 season, the special teams units finished 31st in DVOA. Field goal, kickoff, kickoff return, and punt teams were all in the bottom five. Calling those units a mess is letting them off lightly. Last season felt like the first time under Kyle Shanahan that the 49ers were competent in multiple areas on special teams. According to DVOA, they were the fifth-best team on kickoff returns. Brian Robinson Jr. averaged 29.1 yards per return. Skyy Moore averaged 27.5 yards. Neither is on the roster. Jacob Cowing ? Jordan Watkins ? Those two were the returners at OTAs, along with undrafted free agent Will Pauling. Would Shanahan allow rookie Kaelon Black? He did it a handful of times during college. Black’s explosive ability would be tempting to throw him out there. The 49ers were also the ninth-best punt return team last year, thanks to Moore. It has been a struggle to find a punt returner under Shanahan. They’ve tried just about everybody, but nobody has stuck. At first, Moore felt like he had just as much of a chance to muff the punt as he would return it. His decision-making was questionable at best before he turned a corner. It’s probably Watkins’ job to lose this season. For as bad as the 49ers’ injuries were in 2025, they were equally as lucky on special teams. You know things are going your way when you block an extra point. That happened in Week 5 against the Rams . The 49ers’ opponents lost 20.5 points of value on field goals last year. They were comically bad. We’re not sure what kind of sorcery Shanahan used. Maybe it was the football gods’ way of evening things out with injuries. The 49ers’ opponents made 21 of 32 field goals last year. That is 20% below the league average. None of those field goal attempts were blocked. Just misses. As unexplainable as that is, it’s not something the team can bank on moving forward. The 49ers led the league in hidden points a year ago, in large part due to their opponents’ blunders. We have to give credit where it’s due. Eddy Pineiro’s only miss was a rushed 64-yard attempt before halftime in Week 17. That consistency, paired with the other team’s kickers, led the 49ers to having the highest total of hidden special teams points since the 2017 Rams. In fact, according to FTN’s database, it was the fifth-highest total since 1977. And to think the 49ers can improve on their 23rd-ranked punt team and 21st-ranked kickoff unit. Water will find its level. Opposing kickers are going to make more than two-thirds of their kicks. Pineiro is probably going to miss a kick before Christmas. Last year proved that it’s better to be lucky than good if you’re the 49ers’ special teams units. Brant Boyer is hoping some of that luck seeps into the 2026 season
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler publishes an annual positional rankings list in which he talks to coaches and executives from around the league. They did running backs on Monday , so San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was inevitably going to be on the list. The only question was where he’d be ranked. Bijan Robinson , Jahmyr Gibbs , and Saquon Barkley were the top three backs. McCaffrey, who was ranked fifth last year, was fourth this year. One person even voted him as high as No. 1: Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked Age: 30 | Last year’s ranking: 5 McCaffrey kept a tight pace with Barkley for the third spot but received more votes outside of the top five than he usually does. In 2025, McCaffrey posted his third career season with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards, tied for fourth most by a running back in NFL history. He needed a league-high 413 touches to do it. McCaffrey’s 3.9 yards per carry was his lowest full-season clip since his rookie year in 2017. One factor: The 49ers ranked 29th in rushing yards before contact (2.04). “He’s declined some — I think you will see more juice if he doesn’t have to be the focal point of both the run and pass game,” an NFC executive said. “But he’s such an elite overall player with versatility who takes care of himself that he can be a top guy for at least one more year.” You can’t mention McCaffrey without bringing up the 49ers’ yards before contact stat. Kyle Shanahan has hinted at it, but a “less is more” year would make plenty of sense after a heavy workload last year. For example, if the 49ers have a big lead and are closing out games, why not give those carries to Jordan James or Kaelon Black? Shanahan didn’t trust Brian Robinson in the passing game or as a runner, or else we would’ve seen more of McCaffrey’s backup last season. He’s going to have to give one of the young backs a leash this season, if only to keep McCaffrey fresh and healthy for the duration of the season. Is No. 5 for McCaffrey fair? The backs after him were Jonathan Taylor , Derrick Henry , James Cook , De’Von Achane, Kenneth Walker , and Breece Hall . McCaffrey’s ability in the passing game makes it difficult to rank him lower than five, so it feels like an accurate ranking
One of the most interesting topics within NFL circles is player contracts. Nothing can motivate a player like knowing they could earn 50-plus million dollars based on their performance. I’ve got a list of players who are in the last year of their contracts, or, in some cases, are stuck on a franchise tag. They will have plenty of motivation in 2026 to cash in. Let’s get started with a player that is routinely drafted as the 1.01 in fantasy drafts! In any season, Bijan Robinson is always projected as a top-two running back for fantasy. This year, it is him and Jahmyr Gibbs at the top of the running back charts, but Gibbs still has a team option for 2027. Robinson will no longer have to contend with Tyler Allgeier for snaps; instead, he gets the far less imposing Brian Robinson Jr. as the RB2. Robinson took 19% of the carries last season, backing up Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. Compare that to Allgeier, who took a staggering 29% of the carries for Atlanta last season. The runway is wide open for Bijan to capture even more redzone opportunities without Allgeier in the fold. He is headed for a big season and, eventually, an even bigger payday that will reset the running back market in the NFL. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs watching Breece Hall and De’Von Achane secure big bags this offseason. pic.twitter.com/FZRCKygY5I — Rich Hribar (@LordReebs) May 14, 2026 We had the potential RB1 overall in fantasy, Robinson, listed above, but will we hear news of a new contract for stud wide receiver Puka Nacua soon? Nacua’s offseason started a bit rocky with the biting and whatnot, but he’s kept his name out of the headlines ever since his stint in rehab. Even while the Rams shift offensive philosophy and use more heavy sets with multiple tight ends, Nacua continues to eat. He has attended all offseason activities since completing his rehab, and it’s rare to see a player of Nacua’s caliber receive such small compensation. He’s still on his rookie contract, so his cap hit for 2026 will be $1,204,244. Compare that to Justin Jefferson, a similar player of Nacua’s caliber, who has a cap hit of $38,987,600. Nacua could be headed for a 2027 franchise tag, but his status will be important to monitor. As of early June, there has been no indication that Nacua could be paid like other stars, but that can always change. The drama in Dallas never ends with owner Jerry Jones, but will he give in to George Pickens with the contract the wideout wants? Pickens proved last year that all he needed was competent quarterback play to prove he can be an elite wide receiver in the league. After being stuck with Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Mason Rudolph, fantasy managers were blessed to witness a fully unlocked Pickens in 2025. Cowboys WR George Pickens said he’s not disappointed that he did not get a long-term deal. He doesn’t plan on holding out. He will be at training camp. He said he didn’t attend voluntary OTAs because he was listening to his agent. “What’s important to me is winning. Like I said… pic.twitter.com/YbKpEFfPEa — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 16, 2026 You may dislike quarterback Dak Prescott, but he is far better than the aforementioned signal-callers. CeeDee Lamb had complications with a high ankle sprain last season, which forced Pickens into a more featured role, and he did not back down. The wildest part is that Dallas always waits before offering a big contract, even if it bites them. I would not be surprised if Pickens gives us another big season, and we’re talking about another tag situation for the superstar receiver in 2027. Another star player playing out the last year of his rookie contract! The Bengals, a franchise with a history of frugality, will face a big decision regarding running back Chase Brown. Brown has been a revelation ever since emerging from his quiet rookie season. After handling just 58 touches with one touchdown in 2023, he has scored 22 touchdowns across the past two seas
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The Atlanta Falcons are acquiring offensive tackle Wanya Morris from the Kansas City Chiefs , according to several media reports. Atlanta will also get a 2027 seventh-round draft pick, while a 2027 sixth-rounder goes to Kansas City in exchange, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Morris, 25, appeared in 12 games last season for the Chiefs, starting one. He suffered a season-ending knee injury on the first snap of Week 14's matchup with the Houston Texans . In three years with Kansas City, Morris played in 43 games with 11 starts during the 2024-25 campaign. He even caught a touchdown pass in a Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals that season. Morris was the Chiefs' 2023 third-round pick (No. 93 overall) out of Oklahoma. Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament However, several others had moved ahead of him on Kansas City’s depth chart, including six-year veteran Jaylon Moore , second-year players Esa Pole and Chukwuebuka Godrick , and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson from national champion Indiana. Morris is expected to fill a swing tackle role with the Falcons, as he did with the Chiefs. Atlanta has Jake Matthews entrenched at left tackle and signed Morris' former Kansas City teammate Jawaan Taylor to be the starting right tackle. The Falcons also have Michael Jerrell on the depth chart at right tackle, who they acquired from the Seattle Seahawks last season . The right side of the line will be particularly important in the Falcons' offense with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr . Atlanta also needed offensive line depth with tackle Storm Norton going on the physically unable to perform list Thursday. Morris is also known as a good run-blocker, which has value in an offense featuring Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. at running back
Robinson is a steady backup by NFL standards, because while he lacks standout traits Robinson is solid on passing downs and he can withstand significant volume from scrimmage otherwise. The Falcons need to conduct a running back-centered offense with Bijan Robinson running the show, and a running back-dependent offense needs depth at the position. What remains to be seen is whether the Falcons remain so run-heavy in 2026 that they retain the role previously held by Tyler Allgeier. Even with Bijan claiming 287 carries and 101 targets last year Allgeier claimed 143 carries, scoring on eight of them. There's reason to believe Brian is not as good of a pure runner as Allgeier, whose two-year, $12.25 million deal is substantially more than Brian's one-year, $2.5 million deal with Atlanta, so it would probably be hasty to think Robinson will take up the former Allgeier role 1:1
SeatGeek is the official NFL Ticketing Partner of the New York Post. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. The NFC South almost belonged to the Atlanta Falcons in 2025. To end the season, Kirk Cousins stepped up in Michael Penix Jr.’s absence and helped the club cobble together a four-game win streak to tie the Panthers and Buccaneers at 8-9. Unfortunately, due to a tiebreaker, Carolina won the division and sent Atlanta packing for the offseason. Once the season officially wrapped, the franchise went into rebuild mode and dumped head coach Raheem Morris for former Browns field general Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski, 44, joins Falcons nucleus members Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson , Chris Lindstrom , Drake London and Jesse Bates III along with head-turning offseason acquisitions Brian Robinson Jr. , Tua Tagovailoa , Jahan Dotson , Jake Bailey and Austin Hooper as well as standout second round draft pick Avieon Terrell. And, while they look great on paper and have the fifth-easiest schedule of any NFL team in ’26 (based on last year’s winning percentages), don’t start daydreaming of a playoff berth banner hanging from the rafters just yet. Penix Jr. and the Dirty Birds will really have to show up this year given how many perennial contenders — and 2025 under-performers but often great teams — are heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium come September. Thanks to the NFL schedule rollout, we know the club will have to face Lamar Jackson ’s Baltimore Ravens (Oct. 11), Caleb Williams Chicago Bears (Oct. 18), Brock Purdy ’s San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 25), Patrick Mahomes ’ Kansas City Chiefs (Nov. 15) and Jared Goff ’s Detroit Lions (Dec. 6) at home. Of course, they’ll meet up with the Bryce Young’s Carolina Panthers (Sept. 20) and Baker Mayfield ’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dec. 27), too. Thus, Stefanski’s squad will need all the help it can get from the Falcons faithful. If you want to root yourself hoarse for the Dirty Birds live, tickets are available for all eight Atlanta Falcons 2026 home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on SeatGeek. SeatGeek is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. Not familiar with SeatGeek? They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. For those who prefer to pick and choose which home games make the most sense for you to attend, we’re here for you, too. Below, you’ll find a list of all upcoming Atlanta Falcons home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including dates, start times and opponents. Atlanta Falcons home game dates Panthers vs. Falcons Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. Ravens vs. Falcons Sunday, Oct. 11 at 8:20 p.m. Bears vs. Falcons Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. 49ers vs. Falcons Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. Chiefs vs. Falcons Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. Lions vs. Falcons Sunday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Buccaneers vs. Falcons Sunday, Dec. 27 at TBD Saints vs. Falcons Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027 at 1 p.m. If you think you might find yourself traveling with the Falcons this year, here’s where you can find them on the road once the 2026 season begins. There is no shortage of ways to watch Falcons games live from the comfort of your own home this season. You can find Stefanski’s stacked squad on ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network on select dates. Through the regular season, most NFC games will be broadcast on FOX. For specialty games, “Sunday Night Football” can be found on NBC along with Peacock, “Monday Night Football” is reserved for ESPN and “Thursday Night Football” streams on Amazon Prime Video. Before the Falcons officially kick off the season (and a little after), many of the biggest stars in music will be playing at arenas and stadiums all over The Gate City. Here are just five of the concerts we’re most excited about coming [... truncated ...]
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr. represents an intriguing dynasty target this offseason. Not only is he a top handcuff running back behind Brian Robinson, but he could also have some standalone value given the Falcons' tendency to use multiple running backs. Atlanta brought in Robinson to replace Tyler Allgeier. While we don't typically think of Robinson as a big pass-catching threat, he is averaging more than 1.25 receptions per game throughout his career, and he had 36 catches across 15 games in 2023 alone. He won't necessarily steal a ton of receiving work from Bijan Robinson, who is an incredible receiver, too. However, Brian Robinson Jr.'s versatility at least gives him a chance to rotate in on a wide variety of downs, not just third. Whatever his role ends up being, it's far more appealing than last season in San Francisco, where he barely touched the ball behind Christian McCaffrey. Robinson remains a top handcuff, and he could even have some standalone RB3/flex value if he vultures some of Bijan Robinson's touches early in the season
When Matt Ryan was playing for the Falcons, the team didn't have to answer any questions about their quarterback plans but his first year as the franchise's president of football isn't starting under the same circumstances
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr. spent his 2025 season in San Francisco as the primary backup to Christian McCaffrey. While it didn't work out for Robinson's fantasy managers, NFL fans in general were fortunate to see McCaffrey play a full 17-game slate, and Robinson ended the year with career lows of 400 yards and two touchdowns on only 92 carries. He has now signed a one-year deal with Atlanta to back up another of the league's premier backs in Bijan Robinson. While the latter Robinson has not missed a start through his first three seasons in the league, his versatility has allowed for a unique opportunity to have two backs on the field at once. Twice in his career, he has lined up for more than 150 snaps at wide receiver, and his previous backup, Tyler Allgeier, averaged more than 10 touches per game across their three seasons together. The Falcons do welcome a new staff, with head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees leaving behind a Cleveland team that tended to lean heavily on one back when given the opportunity. However, neither has ever coached a player with Robinson's skillset, and they would be wise to take advantage, leading to a safe enough floor for Robinson Jr. to hold standalone value on top of being a must-roster insurance back
