Charlie

Woerner

Cousins’ one-yard rushing score salvages an otherwise disappointing day in the box score. On the play before, Cousins attempted to connect with LT Jake Matthews in the end zone, on a trick play, but the left tackle dropped the on-target pass. As for the lost fumble, that one is on Falcons TE Charlie Woerner. Woerner was sent in motion pre-snap, but the timing appeared to be off. Warner briefly paused as he neared what appeared to be either a handoff or the beginning of a play-action fake, but instead charged ahead, barreling straight into the mesh point between Cousins and RB Bijan Robinson, knocking the ball out of Cousins’ hands. Cousins is a QB2 against the Rams in Week 17, offering mildly intriguing upside in what could be a fantasy-friendly game environment.

When asked about potential tampering violations back in May, Cousins said, “There’s not a whole lot there.” The league, clearly thinking otherwise, has decided there was enough to not only dock the Falcons a future draft pick but also fine the team $250,000 and general Terry Fontenot $50,000. At his introductory press conference with the team back in March, Cousins more or less admitted to tampering when he talked about having contact with the team and free agent signee Darnell Mooney before the official start of the league year. In a statement put out by the league regarding the Falcons’ violation, the NFL said, “While the [anti-tampering] policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period, any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited. This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”

George Kittle’s longtime backup now slides in as the Jonnu Smith replacement in Atlanta. The Falcons’ infamously tight end-friendly system is now becoming more of a Sean McVay-style attack. There have always been TE targets to go around in L.A., but Kyle Pitts will obviously remain the first man up. Perhaps Woerner will have occasional streamer status, but his fantasy appeal should remain close to nil in his new home.

Woerner, a sixth-round pick last year out of Georgia — the only Niners tight end besides Kittle who was drafted — enters OTAs amid a jumble of tight ends behind the dominant Kittle. Woerner caught a grand total of 34 passes during his time at Georgia, and was used primarily as a blocking tight end. Ross Dwelley has usually functioned as the Niners’ pass-catching tight end when Kittle is sidelined with one of his many injuries. Woerner’s background suggests he wouldn’t take on that role if Kittle once again misses time in 2021.

A part-time player in his four years with the Bulldogs, Woerner’s career stat line (34/376/1) would be disappointing even if it were for one season. Frequently dispersed as Georgia’s lead strongside blocker, Woerner got by with physicality and an appetite for contact, often using his tenacity and momentum to create running lanes. He has a low ceiling at the next level, but his willingness to do the dirty work to make a living could help him escape camp with a roster spot.

A part-time player in his four years with the Bulldogs, Woerner’s career stat line (34/376/1) would be disappointing even if it were for one season. Frequently dispersed as Georgia’s lead strongside blocker, Woerner got by with physicality and an appetite for contact, often using his tenacity and momentum to create running lanes. He has a low ceiling at the next level, but his willingness to do the dirty work to make a living could help him escape camp with a roster spot.

Our last update on Woerner was a suggestion this summer that the tight end could be in for a “monster” season. That didn’t happen, as he was limited to just seven games and nine receptions. Zierlein calls him a “Hard-charging, pesky blocker whose lack of size and length make him a candidate for a move to full-time fullback or H-back.” He also notes he has adequate speed and athletic ability, but he lacks feel as a passer and is undersized as a blocking tight end (6'5/245). As Zierlein summarizes: “Woerner has some athleticism but was a relative non-factor as a pass-catcher, and needs to stand out on special teams to bolster his chances.

A “monster year” for college tight ends means 400+ yards or 5+ touchdowns, both totals we aren’t expecting Woerner (6'5/230) to meet. The Bulldogs offense spreads the ball around evenly, so Woerner will have to be insanely efficient to truly breakout. Through two seasons, Woerner has caught 14 passes for 150 yards while playing in a backup role.

Woerner--the mythical, position-less “athlete"--received interest from usual suspects Alabama, Clemson and Michigan before he opted for a verbal commitment with Georgia. He’s stuck by that commitment even with the coaching transition from Mark Richt to Kirby Smart two months ago. While the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder out of Rabun County High School in Tiger, Georgia, served as a do-it-all play-maker on offense at the lower level, Scout.com and ESPN 300 both have him as a likely tight end in college. Scout ranks him as the No. 42 recruit in the country, while ESPN’s slightly more conservative and places him 102nd.

Woerner (6'5/230) injured his leg in UGA’s Rose Bowl victory over Oklahoma this past winter and was subsequently unable to take the field for the team’s loss to Alabama in the national championship game. The former four-star recruit has caught a modest 14 passes for 150 yards in two collegiate seasons and is unlikely to see significant offensive work during the coming campaign.