If you thought the Atlanta Falcons' roster shuffle was finished after last week, Ian Cunningham made sure to let us know to expect the unexpected. The Falcons released Layden Robinson and Matthew Hayball on Monday afternoon after the former struggled in Friday's preseason loss to the Broncos.
The Hayball release is more straightforward since he was the backup punter behind Jake Bailey and was never making the roster. In fact, he didn't even count against the 90-man roster because he was the team's international player. But the Falcons quickly made a corresponding move after cutting Robinson.
Instead, the Falcons signed another player to join the wide receiver battle. Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Atlanta signed former New York Giants wideout Beaux Collins, who was waived with an injury settlement late last week after dealing with a concussion that saw him get placed on IR.
The #Falcons are signing former #Giants WR Beaux Collins, sources say. Collins was waived with an injury settlement late last week. Quickly finds a new home in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/bGKv9QHB3N
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 17, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons are signing ex-Giants WR Beaux Collins
The 2025 undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame was a training camp darling for the Giants this time last summer. He was so impressive that one of his first plays in the preseason last summer was an 80-yard catch from Russell Wilson, and showed enough that he was able to make the 53-man roster.
The 24-year-old didn't play much outside of special teams, but he still caught two passes for 25 yards, including an 18-yard reception against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, his season ended prematurely, as he was placed on season-ending IR due to a season-ending neck injury after Week 9.
Interestingly enough, Collins is the second UDFA wideout the Dirty Birds signed this summer with a previous connection to Big Blue. If I had a nickel for every time for every ex-Giant the Falcons have signed this offseason, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice right?
Like his old teammate Antwane "Juice" Wells Jr., Beaux Collins is expected to play a role in Atlanta's receiver competition--once he gets healthy. The preseason helped him prove himself once around, so who's to say that lightning isn't able to strike twice across these next two preseason games?
The 6-foot-3, 206-pound pass-catcher will compete with Wells, Dylan Drummond, Chris Blair, and UDFAs Vinny Anthony and Keelan Marion for a roster spot since Kristian Wilkerson was cut in the corresponding move. Right now, Blair and Drummond feel like the frontrunners, but Wells and Anthony have turned heads--but evidently none of it is enough.
Considering he's a big-bodied receiver who will offer the Falcons special teams value, it doesn't seem far-fetched to assume that Beaux Collins was signed in this corresponding move because he has a real shot to make the final roster. And even if he doesn't, he's a worthwhile practice squad stash.
Add us as a preferred source on Google