Prepping for backup role
Heinicke said his goal is to be "the best backup I can" behind fellow Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. "They drafted [Ridder] high for a reason," Heinicke added Thursday afternoon.
The catch is that Atlanta didn't draft Ridder all that early (74th overall), while Heinicke's two-year, $14 million contract ($6.32 million guaranteed) makes him one of the better-compensated backups in the league. The team was clear with Heinicke about Ridder being the starter, which figures to carry into Week 1, but that doesn't necessarily mean the second-year pro will have a lot of leeway if he struggles once the season starts. Heinicke's stats from Washington -- 64.0 completion rate, 7.0 YPA, 33:21 TD:INT, 12-11-1 record -- give him a strong argument to be viewed among the two or three best backup quarterbacks in the league.
More Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football News

Mack Hollins
WR | ATL
Lands in Atlanta
Hollins agreed to a one-year deal with the Falcons on Sunday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Desmond Ridder
QB | ATL
Still viewed as Falcons' starter
Despite the Falcons' reported signing of Taylor Heinicke, Ridder is still expected to enter training camp as the starting quarterback, ESPN's Michael Rothstein reports.

Taylor Heinicke
QB | ATL
Linking up with Atlanta
The Falcons are slated to sign Heinicke to a two-year contract, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Jessie Bates III
DB | ATL
Headed to Atlanta
Bates is in line to sign with the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jonnu Smith
TE | ATL
Headed to Falcons
The Patriots are slated to trade Smith to the Falcons in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kyle Pitts
TE | ATL
Rehab progressing on schedule
Falcons tight end coach Justin Peele said Monday that Pitts (knee) is "on schedule" in his recovery, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Younghoe Koo
K | ATL
Perfect in Week 18 win
Koo went 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts and 3-for-3 on point-after tries during Sunday's 30-17 win versus the Buccaneers.

Jonnu Smith
TE | ATL
Logs 27 catches this season
Smith finished the 2022 season with 27 catches on 38 targets for 245 yards in 14 games.

Cordarrelle Patterson
RB | ATL
Scores touchdown in Week 18
Patterson rushed five times for 18 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 30-17 win over Tampa Bay. He also caught two of three targets for one yard.

Mack Hollins
WR | ATL
Two catches in finale
Hollins caught two of three targets for 15 yards in Saturday's 31-13 loss to the Chiefs.