The Atlanta Falcons have gathered for OTA workouts and everybody is on the same page heading into the 2025 season. With Michael Penix Jr. entering his first season as a full-time starter, there’s reason to be excited in Atlanta, but there are some former players that are still looking for a job.
One former Falcon remains on the free agent market as OTAs enter full swing around the NFL. While he hasn’t found a home yet, his chances of getting signed skyrocketed after a sudden retirement made him a potential target for a late-offseason addition.
Former Falcons CB Fabian Moreau Could Be Targeted By Texans After Ronald Darby’s Retirement
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Houston Texans cornerback Ronald Darby has decided to retire ahead of the second week of OTA workouts. The 31-year-old spent 10 seasons in the NFL as a second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills out of Florida State and played for six different teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Darby was set to join his seventh team when he signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Texans in March, but clearly had a change of heart. With Darby out of the picture, the Texans could be looking for cornerback depth and give former Falcons cornerback Fabian Moreau a call.
Moreau was a third-round pick by the Commanders in the 2017 draft but spent one season in Atlanta, making 61 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and 11 pass breakups in 16 games during the 2021 season. Moreau has bounced around the league since his one stint with the Falcons, playing for the New York Giants and Denver Broncos before spending last year with the Minnesota Vikings.
The 31-year-old didn’t make much of an impact in Minnesota, making seven total tackles with a pass deflection in seven games. He also hasn’t been much of a ball hawk with just one interception over the past four seasons. But he can provide a veteran presence to a team that could use it.
With Darby’s departure, the Texans are still projected to start Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter at corner. But their depth behind them has some questions, including third-round rookie Jaylin Smith, free agent pickup Tremon Smith, D’Angelo Ross and UDFA Keydrain Calligan.
It provides Moreau a potential suitor in a market that hasn’t had many and could give him the opportunity to get a job before the start of the season.