Updated July 22, 2026, 8:53 p.m. ET

The Atlanta Falcons have been strangely quiet in the days leading up to training camp, but those around the NFL continue to churn out content at an alarming rate. Thanks to the Falcons’ quarterback battle between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, the team has been a frequent topic of training camp preview lists.

In today’s Falcons Wire Recap, ESPN and Bleacher Report weigh in on the quarterback competition, The Athletic ranks Atlanta among the NFL’s most underrated teams, and second-year safety Xavier Watts makes CBS Sports’ under-the-radar players list for 2026.

B/R predicts Tua Tagovailoa will start at QB

Bleacher Report‘s Alex Kay feels the Falcons’ QB competition is leaning heavily in Tua Tagovailoa’s direction as the team prepares to kick off training camp next week.

“While Miami was understandably ready to move on from Tua after two straight down years, the quarterback is still just 28 years old and should have plenty left in the tank for 2026,” wrote Kay. “Tagovailoa gives new head coach Kevin Stefanski his best chance to hit the ground running and make Atlanta a top contender in a wide-open NFC South race. If Tua can avoid injury and establish a rapport with the likes of Drake London and Bijan Robinson in camp, Penix will be relegated to the bench in 2026.”

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.ESPN picks Tua, calls Penix better-long term option

ESPN’s Ben Solak shared his two cents on Atlanta’s QB1 battle, and despite predicting Tagovailoa would win the job, he feels Penix has the better chance at being the team’s long-term starter.

“Penix and Tagovailoa are remarkably different players,” Solak explained. “Penix has easy velocity but scattershot accuracy; Tagovailoa has pinpoint placement but struggles to drive the ball. The history of Kevin Stefanski’s offenses leans toward Tagovailoa’s strengths, but Penix is the one who actually has a chance of developing into a long-term starter.

Falcons ranked among NFL’s most underrated

Mike Jones at The Athletic has a new list out of the league’s most overrated and underrated teams going into the 2026 season, and the Falcons are the first team he named in the underrated category.

“Kevin Stefanski inherits a team that features plenty of talent, with Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, A.J. Terrell, Jessie Bates III, James Pearce and Xavier Watts leading the way,” wrote Jones. “If he can figure out the quarterback situation (Michael Penix Jr. versus Tua Tagovailoa) and keep one of those two on the field, Atlanta could challenge for the division.”

Xavier Watts makes ‘under-the-radar’ list

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports put out a list of 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the 2026 NFL season. The players were broken up into multiple categories, including “bounce-back candidates” and “second-year jump.” Despite coming off an incredible rookie season, Falcons safety Xavier Watts was one of five players listed in the “second-year jump” category.

“The 2025 third-round pick notched five interceptions, made 92 tackles and defended 11 passes, finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting,” wrote Pereles. “Watts showed a real knack for finding the football and shined in coverage. Playing alongside Jessie Bates III, Watts is one half of a terrific safety duo.”