Falcons insider reveals Josh Ali could emerge as surprise standout for Atlanta
As a rebuilding franchise, the Atlanta Falcons are taking any and all comers who can help them produce and eventually compete again in the NFC. However, per an insider, there’s one name that has come out of nowhere and even surprised those in the franchise with how he has performed this offseason.
That name is WR Josh Ali, a second-year prospect out of Kentucky. That’s according to Michael Rothstein in an article at ESPN. With plenty of opportunity in Atlanta’s receiving corps, Ali is apparently making his mark, especially with his continuously growing connection with Falcon QB Desmond Ridder. In the end, there’s no guarantee that he makes the final roster. Based on Rothstein’s words, though, he has given himself the chance to at the very least.
“In Atlanta’s wide-open receiver room after Drake London, an almost-unknown player has stood out. Ali, who was on the practice squad last season after suffering a knee injury late in his college career at Kentucky, worked a bunch in 2022 with Falcons starting quarterback Desmond Ridder,” wrote Rothstein. “That chemistry has shown and Ali has gotten work with the veterans. (That’s) usually a good sign for a player with 14 career snaps and one career target.”
“Will he make the team? It’s unclear,” Rothstein continued. “Has he put himself in a potential position out of spring? Quite possibly.”
Ali appeared in two games as a Falcon in 2022. Those came against Arizona and Tampa Bay in the final two contests of the season for Atlanta. In total, he saw 14 snaps with only one target that he didn’t catch in the pair of wins.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Ali went undrafted after his five-year college career in Lexington. Over his 45 games with the Wildcats, he caught 131 passes for 1,447 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Again, there’s no guarantee that Ali actually makes the cut come the start of the season. With that said, Rothstein thinks that he has given himself a strong head start with what he has been up to recently with Atlanta.
Lynn Bowden signs with New Orleans Saints
Former Kentucky star Lynn Bowden‘s workout with the Saints was a success. Just two days after trying out, the third-year wide receiver has signed with New Orleans.
ESPN’s Field Yates was the first to report Bowden’s move to the NFC South on Thursday.
He also worked out for the Dallas Cowboys before finding his new home with the Saints.
The New England Patriots released the former Wildcat last month after spending the entire 2022 season with the franchise. He spent the majority of the season with the team’s practice squad and was elevated to the active roster in Week 9 vs. the Indianapolis Colts. Overall, he played 14 snaps.
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Bowden in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was then traded to the Miami Dolphins that September and played in 10 games with four starts, catching 28 passes for 211 yards to go with nine rushing attempts for 32 yards.