Who Should I Start? Chris Blair or Tommy Mellott

Saturday, August 16, 11:42 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair led the team in receiving yards, thanks mostly to a 52-yard catch-and-run down the sideline on an Easton Stick pass in the third quarter of Friday's 23-20 loss to the Titans. In all, the 27-year-old caught three of his five targets for a total of 78 yards. It's the second consecutive week with a touchdown catch after hauling in three passes for 54 yards in the team's 17-10 preseason loss to the Lions last week. The wide receiver corps for the Falcons is pretty much set, with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud the top three, along with fourth wideout KhaDarel Hodge, who has been with the team since 2022. Blair is battling veteran DJ Chark and a host of others for what is probably just one spot available on the roster, although his performance the last two weeks should help give him a leg up on most of them.

Friday, May 23, 12:19 PM

The Athletic's Tashan Reed reports that Las Vegas Raiders rookie sixth-rounder Tommy Mellott got significant action at slot receiver during an OTA practice this week. The quarterback-turned-receiver made cornerback Darnay Holmes fall on an in-and-out route on one rep before catching a pass from quarterback Geno Smith and turning upfield. Receiver Tre Tucker made the most impressive play of the day on a deep route where he got open over the top of the safety for a diving catch. Tucker started most of last year, but his role could be in jeopardy in 2025 after the Raiders drafted Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech. Mellott is fast and athletic at 6-foot, 208 pounds but will most likely serve in a depth role at wideout in his first year in the NFL while also contributing as a return option on special teams.