Former Falcons check-in: Kirk Cousins shines, Elijah Wilkinson unravels

With a new regime coming in, the Atlanta Falcons saw a lot of roster turnover this offseason. They saw their fair share of new faces come in, but they saw just as many familiar faces leave as Ian Cunningham wanted to build this roster his way and distance himself from the Terry Fontenot era.

While the Falcons are 2-2 following a dominant Week 4 performance in New Orleans, we know how well their new additions (and this team in general) have been performing. But now's a good a time as any to check up on our departees, now that their time in red and black is deep in the rearview mirror.

Though we missed out on seeing our first revenge game of the season due to injury, the Week 4 slate was plenty interesting and some ex-Falcons took part in some fantastic finishes, so let's go across the league and see how they're all doing in their new threads--both in Week 4 and in general.

Note: Since David Onyemata underwent core muscle surgery and was placed on injured reserve by the Jets two weeks ago, he won't be on here.

Former Atlanta Falcons round-up: Evaluating Week 4 performances

Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins

It's surprising enough that 38-year-old Kirk Cousins led the Raiders to a 3-0 start, but I guess the right coaching can help anyone fend off the effects of Father Time. And Klint Kubiak has him turning back the clock in ways we never saw him do in Atlanta.

In the 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Cousins completed 31 of 52 passes for 365 yards, two touchhdowns, and an interception--but he was being hit as he threw it and it was the final play of the game. But his touchdown to Brock Bowers saw him move around in ways we didn't know he could.

He's now tied with Brock Purdy for the lead in touchdown passes, so he's off to a nice start.

Arizona Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier

Tyler Allgeier left Atlanta in hopes of being a feature back, but that ended before he could even begin. The Cardinals drafted Jeremiyah Love with the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft just weeks after he signed, and while they split work in Love's debut, Allgeier has received less work in recent weeks.

However, things evened out a bit in Arizona's 36-24 loss to the New York Giants. Allgeier carried the ball eight times for 42 yards and a touchdown, including a scamper from 22 yards out. He also saw the field for the majority of the final drive because Love tweaked his ankle in the loss.

And given he suffered a high-ankle sprain (to the other ankle in the summer), Jeremiyah Love could miss time, which could mean more work for Tyler Allgeier.

New Orleans Saints LB Kaden Elliss

Kaden Elliss is probably the biggest traitor on this list, but it doesn't matter. He signed with the New Orleans Saints and was productive for them to start, but a calf injury sidelined him in the Saints' Week 4 loss to the Falcons, so he never even got to participate in the long-overdue revenge game.

And in turn, New Orleans' run defense collapsed as Atlanta's run game surged. Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. combined for over 200 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the 45-24 blowout at the Superdome. So clearly they missed him, and I bet he wishes he was out there, though I doubt it changes much.

Buffalo Bills CB Dee Alford

Dee Alford left Atlanta because he chased a bag from the contending Buffalo Bills, but a change of scenery hasn't helped him build on the breakout season he enjoyed a year ago. And the fact of the matter is that if he stayed with the Dirty Birds, he wouldn't have seen the field much--if at all.

In the 29-26 loss to the New England Patriots, Alford played a season-low 24 snaps, and while he did record a pass-breakup, he didn't have much of an impact on this game. And that's been a trend all year, as Pro Football Focus graded him as a bottom-10 CB in both PFF grade and coverage grade.

Arizona Cardinals OT Elijah Wilkinson

The one man Falcons fans are super happy is gone is Elijah Wilkinson, because say what you want about Jawaan Taylor, but he's still much better than his predecessor on the right side. He's the main reason Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL last year, so he took his talents to Arizona, where this is no fanbase for him to argue with in Instagram DMs.

Even without Brian Burns, the Giants' pass-rush still gave Wilkinson a hard time. He spent most of his time against Abdul Carter, and surrendered a season-high five pressures (and three QB hits) for his worst game of the season, as. PFF gave him a 30.9 pass blocking grade, the worst among all qualified tackles.

And now that Paris Johnson Jr. will be out for the year, his job will be even harder.

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Ruke Orhorhoro

The Falcons are looking genius for dealing Ruke Orhorhoro to Jacksonville in exchange for Maason Smith, who has fit in seamlessly with this new culture on the defensive line. Meanwhile, Orhorhoro never did, but his stint in Jacksonville may finally be looking up after starting with the reserves.

In the 22-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Orhorhoro built on his three-pressure game last week with another two pressures, on Sunday and also added a stop to his total. So while he's still struggling against the run, he is improving every week.

Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Arnold Ebiketie

While the Falcons' pass-rush is thriving, Arnold Ebiketie, one of the guys they let go, is fading into the background, He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, a team known for reviving the careers of untapped pas-rushers, yet hasn't done anything to suggest he's warranted a second chance.

On the bright side, he did pick up his first pressure of the season in the Eagles' 24-20 collapse against the Los Angeles Rams, but he has more missed tackles (2) on the season. And through the first month, he graded out as the worst pass-rushing EDGE in the NFL with a 46.4 pass rush grade.

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