NW Atlanta News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – After the Falcons acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Charlie Woerner in free agency this March, the league opened an investigation into potential violations of its Anti-Tampering Policy. That investigation has now concluded.

According to reports from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Falcons have lost their original 2025 fifth-round draft pick. Additionally, the organization has been fined $250,000, with an extra fine of $50,000 imposed on general manager Terry Fontenot.

Without a fifth-round pick in next year's draft, the Falcons will now have five draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

"While the 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, direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited," read a statement from the NFL. "This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to those three players."

The Falcons organization released this statement in response to the league's final conclusion: "We are pleased this review is complete. We cooperated fully with the league and its review and appreciate the NFL's thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve."