Atlanta did not draft a wide receiver this year. It's possible that a wideout was in the team's plans for early on day 3, but the team decided to move up (jumping ahead of division rival New Orleans) to snag Syracuse lineman Matthew Bergeron, sending a fourth rounder to Indianapolis in order to make the move. So the much-anticipated draft pick of a WR didn't happen, but the team has made it clear that the position is still not settled. Three of the six undrafted rookies that the team signed were receivers, and they worked out two available free agents as well. They signed one of them: former Georgia State receiver Penny Hart. Hart had a 100+ yard per game receiving average as a junior at GSU in 2017 before having his stats tail off as the Panthers became more run-oriented in 2018. He measured 5-8, 180 at his pro day in March 2019, with a 4.63 in the 40 and 19 bench press reps. The slower 40, shuttle and cone drill times helped knock him off the draft board down to undrafted status. Indianapolis signed him as an undrafted rookie. They ended up releasing him with an injury settlement at the end of training camp, and the Seahawks later picked him up for their practice squad. He bounced between Seattle's practice squad and roster for the 2020-2022 seasons, getting in enough games to reach RFA status this offseason. The Seahawks elected not to tender him, so he became a free agent. So... he's not big, and he's not fast. But he's pretty strong for a WR of his size, and he racked up a good deal of special teams experience with the Seahawks. Overall he appeared in 39 games in his three seasons, with 11 receptions and 1 rushing attempt on offense and 17 total tackles on special teams. It's that special teams experience that might give him a fighting chance at sticking around in Atlanta, at least as a member of the practice squad. He also starts out in the mix for a potential roster spot as a fifth overall wide receiver, competing with 2021 sixth rounder Frank Darby, 2022 undrafted free agent Jared Bernhardt, practice squad holdovers Josh Ali and Ra'Shaun Henry, and three brand new undrafted rookies. Falcons fans are hoping to see a true WR#2 added to the mix (such as Jets receiver Corey Davis, if he becomes a salary cap casualty in New York). If so, that would settle the roster with a five man WR group that also features Drake London, Mack Hollins, slot receiver Scotty Miller and special teams ace KhaDarel Hodge. But until then, Hart joins Darby and Bernhardt as top contenders to sneak into the back end of the group.
