Former Atlanta Falcons fan-favorite WR signs with San Francisco 49ers

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby has found a new home.

Darby, a 2021 sixth-round pick who became a fan favorite because of his energy and infectious smile, has signed a one-year deal to join the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported Saturday.

As a rookie, Darby played in 10 games but was mostly used on special teams. He saw 126 snaps in the third phase of the game compared to just 20 on offense. He caught one pass for 14 yards on four targets.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Darby has only been on the field five times in 2022 but has seen a significant increase in his offensive snaps, logging 54 reps. However, he has only been targeted once, making a 15-yard reception.

During training camp in 2023, Darby appeared to be taking a step forward. Then-receivers coach T.J. Yates said he was becoming a full-fledged player, and Yates and teammate Mack Hollins both referred to Darby as “the juice guy.”

But Darby suffered a soft tissue injury in the Falcons’ preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins and was rested shortly after. Yet his time in Atlanta wasn’t over: Two months later, he returned to the team’s practice squad.

The former Arizona State University standout appeared in just one game (a Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals) and played 12 snaps on special teams. He spent the rest of the year on the practice squad.

Now in San Francisco, Darby joins former Sun Devils teammate Brandon Aiyuk in the 49ers’ receiver room. The Falcons, meanwhile, have a new core of receivers around Drake London, with Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore and Ray-Ray McCloud III among several new faces.