The Steelers waived Blake on Tuesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Blake was let go by the Cardinals at the beginning of August and eventually latched on with Pittsburgh. However, he once again finds himself as a free agent. The undrafted wideout out of Northern Illinois spent his first three seasons in the NFL with Arizona, but he registered a career-low four receptions for 25 yards across 102 offensive snaps over 16 games last season.
Aug 23, 2022 1:01 PM EST
Blake signed a contract with the Steelers on Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The 26-year-old will head to Pittsburgh after the team also waived wide receiver Javon McKinley (undisclosed) with an injury designation Thursday. Blake spent the first three seasons of his career in a backup and special-teams role with Atlanta, where he registered career-lows statistics (4-25-0) while playing 102 offensive snaps over 16 regular-season games. The 2018 undrafted free agent likely will compete with Anthony Miller, Cody White and Gunner Olszewski for a spot on the Steelers' final 53-man roster.
Aug 11, 2022 11:58 AM EST
Blake was waived by Arizona on Tuesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.
Analysis: After signing a contract with the Cardinals in May, Blake was let go by the team following Marquise Brown's return from the non-football injury list, as well as the recent acquisition of offensive lineman Rashaad Coward. Blake spent his first three NFL seasons in Atlanta, where he totaled 28 receptions and 257 yards across 41 games. The fourth-year pro now will wait for another opportunity ahead of the upcoming season.
Aug 2, 2022 4:26 PM EST
Blake signed a contract with the Cardinals on Monday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Blake will get a look with the Cardinals after spending the previous three seasons in Atlanta. The former Northern Illinois product played in 16 games in each of the last two seasons, but only amassed 17 receptions on 28 targets for 166 yards.
May 16, 2022 5:04 PM EST
Blake failed to haul in his only target during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.
Analysis: Blake finished the 2021 campaign with four receptions for 25 yards across 16 appearances. The 25-year-old wideout is set to become a free agent this offseason, but it's unclear what type of market he will draw.
Jan 10, 2022 12:13 PM EST
Blake was unable to haul in his only target during Sunday's 29-15 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: With Calvin Ridley (personal) still away from the team and Tajae Sharpe (illness) sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, Blake played 26 of Atlanta's 53 offensive snaps. However, the 25-year-old wideout was held catchless as Kyle Pitts and Russell Gage once again led the Falcons in targets and receiving yards. Blake's role will likely be diminished if Sharpe returns in Week 18, but even Sharpe misses a third straight game, Blake profiles as little more than a dart-throw lineup option in deeper leagues.
Jan 3, 2022 11:34 AM EST
Blake could serve as the Falcons' No. 3 receiver behind Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus in Sunday's game against the Bills with Tajae Sharpe (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: While Sharpe was sidelined with a foot injury during the Week 16 win over the Lions, Blake ranked third among Atlanta wideouts in snaps (11, 24 percent), catching his lone target for a five-yard gain. Rather than regularly rolling out three-receiver sets, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith leaned more heavily on two tight-end arrangements featuring Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst, the latter of whom played 48 percent of the offensive snaps. With Hurst joining Sharpe among the growing list of Atlanta players on the COVID-19 list, Smith could be less inclined to use two tight-end sets Week 17, which could open up more reps for Blake. Even so, the 25-year-old profiles as little more than a dart-throw lineup option in deeper leagues.
Jan 2, 2022 6:16 AM EST
Blake caught his only target for five yards during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions.
Analysis: With Calvin Ridley (personal) still away from the team and Tajae Sharpe (foot) sidelined, Blake played double-digit offensive snaps for just the fourth time this season. The 25-year-old caught his first pass since Week 5 and just his fourth of the season. Barring additional injuries to Atlanta's pass catchers, Blake isn't expected to crack fantasy relevancy against the Bills in Week 17.
Dec 27, 2021 10:50 AM EST
Blake caught two of his four targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Jets.
Analysis: With Calvin Ridley (personal) and Russell Gage (ankle) sidelined, Blake played a season-high 15 offensive snaps and it resulted in his best offensive performance of the season. All wideouts' fantasy production remains limited in Atlanta's offense this year, as Matt Ryan continues to rely on his tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
Oct 11, 2021 12:29 PM EST
Blake could see reps as the No. 3 receiver Sunday against the Jets in London behind projected starting wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe, Scott Bair of Atlanta's official site reports.
Analysis: Blake has played more snaps on special teams (31) than on offense (18) through the Falcons' first four games, but he'll likely be thrust into a larger role at receiver out necessity with the top two options at the position -- Calvin Ridley (personal) and Russell Gage (ankle) -- both inactive. Zaccheaus and Sharpe are expected to serve as their primary replacements, but Blake looks like he may have the edge over sixth-round rookie Frank Darby and practice-squad call-up Juwan Green for the third spot at receiver. Even if that's the case, the Falcons may not rely heavily on three-wide sets, as the team has two quality tight ends on hand in Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst.
Oct 10, 2021 5:28 AM EST
Blake played five offensive snaps and didn't record a target during Sunday's loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Blake appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season and recorded 13 catches for 141 yards. Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage were the only Atlanta wideouts to see targets during Week 1 as the majority of Matt Ryan's throws were check downs to the running backs and tight ends.
Sep 15, 2021 8:32 AM EST
Blake, who did not garner a target during Sunday's 44-27 loss to the Buccaneers, concluded his 2020 campaign with 13 receptions (on 18 targets) for 141 yards and no touchdowns over 16 games.
Analysis: Blake accumulated eight receptions for 90 yards between Weeks 8 and 12, but he totaled just one catch for minus-one yard over five remaining appearances Weeks 13 through 17. Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus combined for just one game appearance during that span, demonstrating just how deep on the Falcons' wide receiver depth chart Blake currently resides. The 24-year-old will be considered an exclusive rights free agent this upcoming offseason.
Jan 6, 2021 9:34 PM EST
Blake caught his lone target for a 17-yard gain during Sunday's 43-6 win against the Raiders.
Analysis: With Olamide Zaccheaus going down in the first quarter of Sunday's contest due to a toe injury, Blake was elevated to the No. 3 position in Atlanta's receiving corps. That promotion, of course, was also prompted because of Julio Jones (hamstring) sitting out the game entirely. Matt Ryan only looked in Blake's direction on one occasion Sunday, but the 24-year-old now has an active streak of four consecutive outings with a catch. He fielded a season-high 50 offensive snaps against the Raiders, but his offensive role Week 13 against New Orleans will vary depending on whether Jones and/or Zaccheaus suit up.
Nov 30, 2020 12:50 PM EST
Blake secured two of his four targets for 28 receiving yards during Sunday's 24-9 loss to New Orleans.
Analysis: With Julio Jones off the field for much of the second and third quarters Sunday while tending to a hamstring issue, Blake posted his second consecutive outing of greater than 25 receiving yards. In eight appearances between Weeks 1 and 8, on 113 combined offensive snaps, Blake mustered just 8.3 receiving yards per contest. Next, Atlanta will host a Las Vegas defense that allowed three different Chiefs receivers to post six-plus catches on Sunday Night Football.
Nov 22, 2020 10:37 PM EST
Blake secured all three of his targets for 31 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-27 win against the Broncos.
Analysis: Despite Calvin Ridley (foot) being ruled out for the cross-conference showdown Sunday morning, Blake fielded just 12 offensive snaps. His workload was far more extensive against Carolina last Thursday night, as he garnered 38 offensive touches in that contest, though his on-field impact was greater in Week 9. Blake matched his season best of three receptions in a game, while his yardage output against Denver was the 24-year-old's second highest of 2020. With an upcoming Week 10 bye, Ridley has a chance to recover from a mid-foot sprain. If that development indeed transpires, Blake will be relegated to the No. 5 slot in Atlanta's receiving corps for a Nov. 22 matchup against the Saints.
Nov 9, 2020 7:57 AM EST
Blake could replace Calvin Ridley (foot) if the star wideout misses Sunday's game against the Broncos, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: With Ridley out for the second half of last week's game, Blake finished with season-high 54 percent snap share but only two catches for 14 yards. The Falcons seem to have direct backups for each of their top-three WRs, with Blake filling in for Ridley, Olamide Zaccheaus replacing Julio Jones, and Brandon Powell behind Russell Gage. It's still possible a Ridley absence could free up more work for Zaccheaus and/or Powell, but Blake is the safe bet to get regular snaps, while Jones, Gage and TE Hayden Hurst could help fill the target void.
Nov 6, 2020 2:58 PM EST
Blake reeled in both of his targets for 14 receiving yards during Thursday's 25-17 win against the Panthers.
Analysis: Calvin Ridley suffered a foot injury in the early going of the second quarter Thursday, opening the door for Blake to double his previous season high of 19 offensive snaps. Per Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blake would be the immediate replacement for Ridley if the star receiver were to miss any time. It seems Ridley may right back for a Week 9 matchup against the Broncos, as he is considered day-to-day after receiving his MRI results Friday. A return for Ridley would likely mitigate any viable fantasy potential for Blake, though he would be a risky play regardless with only one performance of greater than 45 receiving yards this season.
Oct 30, 2020 7:46 PM EST
Blake corralled three of his five targets for 47 receiving yards during Monday's 30-16 loss to Green Bay.
Analysis: With Julio Jones remaining out for the second half after battling through a hamstring issue the first two quarters, young wideouts Blake and Olamide Zaccheaus came to the forefront, combining for 11 catches and 133 receiving yards on 14 targets. Calvin Ridley will be Atlanta's No. 1 pass-catching option if Jones proves unable to go for a Week 5 matchup against the Panthers, but Blake may have a notable offensive role for himself in such a situation. He was targeted on more than 25 percent of his offensive snaps during Monday's loss to the Packers.
Oct 7, 2020 7:55 AM EST
Blake is slated to serve as one of the Falcons' three starting receivers Sunday against the Bears with Julio Jones (hamstring) inactive for the contest, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Blake has played 16 total offensive snaps through the Falcons' first two games, drawing zero targets. He should see a big spike in playing time Week 3 with Jones in street clothes, but Blake probably shouldn't be counted on to see much volume headed his way. Instead, Matt Ryan will likely funnel most of Jones' vacated targets to wideouts Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Todd Gurley.
Sep 27, 2020 8:59 AM EST
Blake caught 11 of 24 targets for 91 receiving yards across nine appearances for the Falcons this season.
Analysis: The 23-year-old wideout made his first regular-season appearance Week 8 against the Seahawks, but he did not garner more than 20 percent of the offensive snaps until Week 12. From that point forward Blake fielded at least 44 percent of the offensive snaps in five of the Falcons' six remaining games, and broke out for six catches and 57 yards Thanksgiving night against New Orleans. The Oct. 22 trade of Mohamed Sanu to New England, and later an injury to Calvin Ridley (abdominal) opened up opportunity for Blake as the season wore on, but he's likely to remain a depth option during 2020 as he enters the final year of his contract.
Jan 5, 2020 2:42 PM EST
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