The Atlanta Falcons are ready to end their seven-year playoff drought next season, but they'll have to go through the NFC South to do it. One of their biggest rivals is the New Orleans Saints, who have fallen on tough times as they enter the first year under head coach Kellen Moore.
With the Falcons ushering in Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback, they have a big advantage over New Orleans and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. If that wasn’t enough to seem like Atlanta should have no problem finishing higher in the standings, the Saints are taking a flier on a failed Falcons signing from last year and giving him a tryout during the team’s minicamp.
Saints Working Out Former Falcons OL Barry Wesley During Minicamp
According to KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, offensive lineman Barry Wesley is working out for the Saints this week. Wesley was on the Falcons roster last year but played for the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions this spring.
Offensive lineman Barry Wesley is working out for the #Saints.per a league source. #Falcons last year and @USFLStallions this spring @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 11, 2025
It’s the latest stop in what’s been a strange tour since Wesley came out as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State. Wesley began with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League in 2022 and signed with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023. He got his first shot in the NFL after signing with the Falcons in May 2023, but didn’t make the team out of training camp.
The Falcons re-signed Wesley to the practice squad and later on the injured reserve list. Wesley gave it another try after signing a reserve/future deal with Atlanta after the 2023 season, but he was once again released in the final roster cut before signing with the Stallions in November.
Wesley rehabbed his stock with a strong season in the UFL, posting a 63.1 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus. He also posted a 74.9 grade and allowed 11 pressures and two sacks on 405 pass-blocking snaps and will look to earn an invitation to the Saints training camp next year.
New Orleans is set at the tackle position with 2025 first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. and 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga at right tackle. But their depth is a question with Josh Ball and Landon Young in the backup roles.
With Atlanta adding James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker to their pass rush in this year’s draft, adding a few more options isn’t a bad idea. But if both rookies pan out, Falcons fans may have an extra level of enjoyment when they take on the Saints' offensive line next year.