A few days ago, the Atlanta Falcons made a few roster moves as the team prepares for training camp. It mostly passed through the wire unnoticed as it looked like depth pieces being shuffled in and out. Yet, with Vinny Anthony II trying to make the roster, the bottom of the depth chart, especially at wide receiver, holds a ton of attention. Therefore, this latest move truly may be a good omen for the former Wisconsin wide receiver.
Atlanta decided to release wide receiver Casey Washington, along with a couple of other players. Adding a few UFL signings as tryout players for the training camp. The swap of players was fairly even. Releasing a wide receiver and adding one, releasing a defensive lineman and adding one, releasing a linebacker and adding one. So, it may be nothing, but the Casey Washington drop is fascinating for Vinny Anthony II's projection.
Falcons released receiver Casey Washington, along with DL Elijah Garcia and LB CJ Nunnaly IV.
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) June 17, 2026
Those are the corresponding moves to UFL signings in EDGE Keshawn Banks, DT Devonnsha Maxwell and WR Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells Jr.
Washington caught a TD from Michael Penix Jr. today.
Vinny Anthony II adds versatility to the Falcons' roster and gives him a leg up for training camp
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Casey Washington was a 6th-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, however, in two seasons he's only caught seven passes for a total of 108 yards. He hasn't shown that his ceiling is high enough to warrant enough for the Falcons to keep him. He doesn't provide anything extra besides depth at receiver and as the position needs more than that, he drew the short straw.
This is where Anthony steps in. He may not be quite ready to be some featured weapon on the Atlanta Falcons at wide receiver, but he provides versatility that neither Washington nor Antwane Wells Jr. does. Anthony can be a reliable kick/punt returner and can also play the gunner position for special teams.
Washington was getting special teams reps, but never as a returner, and even those reps weren't all that impressive. He didn't stand out as a special teams player and was very replaceable in the role. Anthony can come in and be an immediate upgrade for both wide receiver depth and special teams.
However, it's not a sure thing that Anthony will make the roster, even with the latest cut of Washington. In fact, he has a battle on his hands with five other players fighting for maybe one or two spots. According to Bloggin' Dirty (Atlanta Falcons site), the biggest competition for Anthony may be Dylan Drummond.
Bloggin Dirty said this about the competition for that final (maybe two final spots) on the roster for wide receiver, "All Drummond has to do is compete with Chris Blair, Vinny Anthony II, Keelan Marion and the newly-signed Juice Wells for one of the final two spots in Atlanta's receiver room. Of these names, Marion, Anthony, and Wells are the biggest contributors on special teams, but Drummond is the best wideout."
It may come down to how much the Falcons want that final wide receiver spot to be an effective special teams player. Or maybe better stated, better than "effective." If they are looking for versatility, look no further than Anthony.
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