Who Should I Start? Charlie Woerner or Hunter Long

Monday, March 11, 5:04 PM

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a three-year, $12 million deal with free-agent tight end Charlie Woerner on Monday, according to his agent, Alex Essex. Woerner, a sixth-round selection in 2020 by the San Francisco 49ers out of Georgia, had just 11 catches on 15 targets for 120 yards and no touchdowns in 65 games (seven starts) in his four seasons in the Bay Area, so he shouldn't be expected to do much in Atlanta besides providing insurance at the tight end position behind Kyle Pitts. The 26-year-old is a blocking-first tight end anyway, so when he's in the game for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, it will probably be to pave the way for running back Bijan Robinson.

Wednesday, July 10, 9:10 PM

Working in Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long's favor is the fact that Tyler Higbee (knee) probably isn't going to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. That lone could land Long a spot on the 53-man roster to open the year if Higbee starts on the Physically Unable to Perform list. However, the Rams added Colby Parkinson in the offseason and love the potential of Davis Allen. If one of Nikola Kalinic or Neal Johnson emerges in training camp and the preseason, Long could be out of a roster spot. The 25-year-old finished last year on Injured Reserve after having surgery on his MCL but he was taking part in organized team activities this offseason and should be ready to go this fall. In just four games played in 2023, Long wasn't targeted at all while playing 54 offensive snaps for the Rams.