Former Falcons post-Week 6 check-in: Clark Phillips' revenge, Kirk Cousins dazzles

The Atlanta Falcons saw their fair share of players come and go this offseason. That's typically how things go in the first offseason with a new regime, and is even more common when a franchise is boxed into a hole and has a finite amount of cap space to work with in order to go spending.

Terry Fontenot left Ian Cunningham and Matt Ryan with very little cap space to work with, which meant the Falcons had to let a lot of their top free agents walk and they'd have to go budget shopping in order to improve the roster--which saw them lose some talent in favor of reclamation projects.

Roster turnover is a common thing in the NFL, and while Atlanta is down to 2-4 on the year and momentum is waning, now's a good a time as any to check on our departed comrades. Let's see how some of our favorite ex-Falcons fared in Week 6 and how they're doing this season.

Note: Kaden Ellis hasn't played since Week 3 and David Onyemeta is on IR, so neither of them will be included in this list.

How did some of our favorite ex-Atlanta Falcons perform in Week 6?

Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins has been one of the biggest surprises in football this season, as he looked cooked with the Falcons this year, but then again there is a Grand Canyon separating Klint Kubiak and Zac Robinson as play-callers, and his strong start to 2026 continued in the Raiders' loss to the Bills

In the 33-30 loss, Cousins completed 28 of 41 pass attempts for 310 yards and two touchdowns against a porous Bills' secondary, as he connected with Tre Tucker for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including this ball from 12 yards out that had elite placement on it.

Kirk Cousins is tied with Brock Purdy and Trevor Lawrence for the league lead with 14 passing touchdowns, so thankfully Michael Penix Jr.'s success means Atlanta shouldn't regret cutting him in favor of a struggling Tua Tagovailoa.

Arizona Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier

After leaving the Falcons, Tyler Allgeier has spent the season sitting behind No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love in Arizona, which isn't exactly the role he envisioned. But with Love sidelined due to an ankle injury, a matchup with the Rams was supposed to be Allgeier's opportunity to prove himself.

Unfortunately for Allgeier, he got the usage, but didn't turn it into elite production. He logged 18 carries for just 38 yards (2.1 YPC), and was out-produced by Bam Knight, who turned 15 carries into 80 rushing yards and came just short of 100 scrimmage yards in the 18-16 win.

It's safe to say his role will be even murkier once Love returns. He's lucky the Cardinals found a way to upset the Rams without scoring a touchdown.

New York Giants WR Darnell Mooney

While Jahan Dotson has been a revelation, the man he replaced as WR2, Darnell Mooney, has been quiet this season with the New York Giants. And apparently a reunion with his former Bears head coach Matt Nagy hasn't been enough to help him turn back the clock, as he has just eight catches this year.

And in the Giants' 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, Mooney failed to record a reception on two targets, but he did gain 20 rushing yards on the ground before exiting the game due a neck injury.

Buffalo Bills CB Dee Alford

Dee Alford has not had a bright season after cashing in with the Buffalo Bills, but in Sunday's 33-30 win over the Raiders, Alford turned in a quality performance in the nickel. He was only targeted twice, surrendering just one reception for nine yards, which isn't shabby for a guy 96th out of 102 in PFF coverage (and defensive) grade.

However, the Bills just signed Tre'Davious White to its practice squad, and with Christian Benford and Davison Igbinosun (plus White) on the outside, it could mean that Maxwell Hairston will move to the nickel and snatch away his starting job.

Los Angeles Rams LB Nate Landman

Nate Landman has been a relevation since leaving Atlanta before last season, as he's developed into one of the most important defenders the Los Angeles Rams have. He's currently 12th in the NFL in total tackles, and in the Week 6 loss to the Cardinals, he had another quality game.

Landman amassed 10+ tackles (six solo) for the third consecutive game, but also missed two tackles and gave up a 26-yard reception on the only rep in which he was targeted, so it was an up-and-down affair.

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Ruke Orhorhoro

Maason Smith has been great for the Atlanta Falcons, but how has the guy he was traded for been? Since joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's been tough sledding for Ruke Orhorhoro, but he's imporved with every week in a new system, as the former second-round pick has 10 pressures in the last four games.

And although the Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans 34-31 in London, the third-year DT delivered a quality day. He tied his season-high with three pressures and is a big reason the Jags are seventh in the NFL in pass-rush win rate. Talk about a win-win trade.

Chicago Bears DB Clark Philips

Clark Phillips III would've likely been cut by the Falcons had he not gotten traded to Chicago in the Gervon Dexter Sr. deal on roster cutdown day. Atlanta just didn't have room for the former fourth-round pick, and until this weekend, the Bears didn't either, as he was mainly a special teamer who got his first snaps on defense in Week 6.

And with those 22 defensive snaps, he made sure to get revenge on his old team. He recorded three pressures, including a play where he made Bijan Robinson look silly in pass protection and Michael Penix Jr. didn't throw his way, so it's safe to say he made a campaign for more snaps going forward.

Philadelphia Eagles OLB Arnold Ebiketie

Speaking of players who got big snap shares, Arnold Ebiketie's ballooned for the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend. Though they lost to the Carolina Panthers, the Eagles' injuries off the edge forced Ebiketie to play for a staggering 72 snaps, although he didn't exactly do a ton with the opportunity.

He did log two pressures, six tackles, and three stops, but once the Eagles get back to full strength, he won't play as much. Jonathan Greenard has been in and out of the lineup, Nolan Smith is in concussion protocol, and Jalyx Hunt missed the 25-14 loss, but is expected to return soon, so Ebiketie will go right back to his rotational role.

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