Atlanta Falcons need to move on from this receiver this off-season

The Atlanta Falcons’ need at the receiver position was obvious this season. Even when Calvin Ridley was on the field Atlanta needed help at the position and once Ridley left the situation became truly dire.

While he struggled early on Russell Gage impressed late in the season and has earned a spot on next year’s roster as the third or fourth option. Rookie Frank Darby is still unknown considering how little playing time he has received and will likely be on the roster next season.

Darby and Gage should be the only receivers on the active roster that the Atlanta Falcons opt to bring back. Atlanta needs to acquire both depth pieces and at least two starters this off-season.

One player the Atlanta Falcons must cut and move off  of as they rebuild their receiver group is Christian Blake

Christian Blake has 257-career receiving yards in three years with the Atlanta Falcons. When the chips were down and Atlanta was desperate for production from any of their receivers Blake couldn’t step up.

His most memorable plays of the season were drops and those came on only nine targets this season. Nine targets speak to the fact that Blake cannot separate and play at this level and it is time for the Falcons to cut bait.

Blake is a player who isn’t capable of helping this team get better and Atlanta needs to make the decision to move on from the young receiver.

Opting instead to surround Matt Ryan with veterans who are capable of helping the Atlanta offense. Taking a flyer on an aging veteran in the off-season or taking a risk on a late-round draft pick would be a better use of roster space.

Blake isn’t capable of contributing at this level and should be cut. It is a tough decision but the right one for a team that now knows exactly what they have in Christian Blake.