Falcons Sign 28-Year-Old Pro Bowl Receiver

The Atlanta Falcons just got better. It was announced late Friday afternoon that they have reached an agreement with former second round pick, and 2019 Pro Bowl participant, wide receiver DJ Chark.

Per Ian Rappaport, Chark inks a one year deal with the Dirty Birds after spending just one season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chark is a burner. In 2018, the now veteran ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 61st overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft and spent four years with the team.

He has bounced around since then but at six-foot-three Chark might fit the mold as exactly the type of player this offense needs.

How DJ Chark Fits In Atlanta’s Offense

Atlanta has three unicorns in their offensive backfield, which is three more than most teams can claim. Bijan Robinson is on the precipice of being able to claim the title of best running back in the NFL. Kyle Pitts is a six-foot-six tight end that moves differently than all others at his position. And Drake London is a six-foot-four bruiser that loves to go over the middle of the field.

Chark is not that.

Chark is an outside the numbers field stretcher of which the Falcons have none. The other two contributing members of this Falcons receiving core, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud, are birds of a feather. Both measure in below six foot and would ideally get most of their work out of the slot.

Due to roster limitations, McCloud has been doing some outside work, but with a 4.53 forty time he is no Tyreek Hill.

Chark represents a threat to take the top off the defense at any time. Though he has never been a receiver that records league high production, just the threat of having Chark in the rotation is enough to change the ways defenses approach the Falcons.

In his career, DJ Chark has catches of 73, 69, 53, and 47 yards. In a run first offense, it’s very easy to paint a scene in your head of Michael Penix putting his head down, sticking his arm in Robinson’s gut, preforming a half roll out behind the left tackle, setting up and unloading a deep bomb over the Saints safety for a 60-yard touch down in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Chark’s Rocky Last Four Years

Chark’s career was off and running just a few years ago. He followed up his career high 1,008 yard season in 2019 with a 708 yard season in 2020. However, after a season ending ankle injury sidelined him in Week 4 of 2021, he has never quite looked the same.

2022 was spent with the Detroit Lions where he recorded more than 500 yards, adding three touchdowns as well. The next season he found himself on the Carolina Panthers where he once again posted a 500 yard year, this time reaching the end zone on five occasions. Last year, Chark only played seven games with the Los Angeles Chargers before a hip injury left him on the injured reserve.

The fact of the matter is this: Chark is a capable and dangerous piece of an already decent Falcons receiving room. He brings a new aspect to the passing game that it did not have before.