The Atlanta Falcons have made a notable addition to their roster by signing cornerback Darnay Holmes as free agency progresses. This move marks the Falcons” first upgrade to their secondary during the current free agency period.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Holmes, who is 27 years old, joins the Falcons on a one-year contract. He has spent the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders after being drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants in 2020, where he played for four seasons.
During his time with the Raiders, Holmes participated in 13 games last year, contributing 19 combined tackles as a rotational player. Over his six-year NFL career, he has appeared in 83 games, starting 12 and accumulating 164 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions.
Holmes is expected to fill a valuable role in the Falcons” defense, particularly as he can play in the nickel position while Billy Bowman Jr. continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon. Last season, the majority of his snaps were from the slot, where he was targeted 26 times, allowing 17 receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown, resulting in a quarterback rating of 101.9 against him.
Falcons general manager has emphasized the importance of finding value in this year”s free agency. Despite previous losses in the secondary, including Dee Alford, the Falcons have now addressed this area. “We really went into this free agency looking to elevate our floor,” Cunningham stated last week. “We added depth pieces, but also players who have starting experience that can start , and have shown that they”re able to start in this league.”
Holmes will face competition for a roster spot in 2026, joining existing secondary members such as Cobee Bryant, C.J. Henderson, Clark Phillips III, Mike Ford Jr., and A.J. Woods.
Garrett Chapman, a seasoned sports broadcaster and writer based in Atlanta, has extensive experience covering the local sports landscape, college football, and the NFL. His insights can also be heard on Sports Radio 92.9 The Game.
