Former Pro Bowler Signs One-Year Deal with the Falcons
After visiting the Bears as well as the Falcons, wide receiver DJ Chark has signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The 28-year-old receiver is headed into his eighth season. Chark has played for multiple teams, including the Jaguars, Lions, Panthers, and Chargers. The big, speedy receiver looks to provide a spark to an already exciting offense.
DJ Chark now moves on to his fourth team in as many seasons. After a Pro Bowl season with the Jaguars, Chark signed a one-year deal with the Lions. He proceeded to leave the following offseason to the Panthers, and last year signed with the Chargers. Injuries have been a large part of Chark's career, as he has only appeared in 57% of the games he has been eligible for. Last season, he appeared in seven games for the Chargers, posting four receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown. The move gives Chark another chance at being a starter for an NFL team, as the Falcons still have a question mark at that third wide receiver spot.
A six-foot-three, 200-pound speedy receiver, Chark will most likely be used to stretch the field in Atlanta. Paired with another speedster in Darnell Mooney, who is coming off an incredibly underrated season, the Falcons will be able to open up the middle of the field for big targets like star receiver Drake London, as well as tight end Kyle Pitts. If Chark can stay healthy, he could ultimately be a key piece to a Falcons team trying to build around second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The move allows Chark to team up with a smart, gunslinging quarterback. Chark could also possibly be seen on special teams. Although he has little history of returning kicks in the NFL, he did return punts during his senior year at LSU, recording two return touchdowns.
The Falcons are hoping Chark can return to his 2019 form, where he recorded 73 receptions, 1,008 yards, and eight touchdowns. With the low-risk, high-reward signing that Chark is, we could now see a position battle during training camp for that third wide receiver spot. Ray-Ray McCloud III is currently listed in that role according to the Falcons depth chart, but a good training camp from Chark could change that. Atlanta Falcons rookie Nick Nash is also a name to watch out for, as he has had an impressive training camp.
