David Sills is at a major crossroads in his football career. He’s doing everything he can to earn a spot on the Falcons roster. As a reminder, Sills was the 8th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s now poised to have a breakout season that could make him one of the league’s very best wideouts. It’s hardly been a typical path for him. He was a quarterback coming out of high school that made a successful conversion to receiver on the collegiate level.
Sills was new to the Falcons this offseason. On that day, he quickly established himself as one of the top targets for new quarterback Kirk Cousins in team drills. Still, he held his own and proved his athleticism, versatility and desire to learn while running with the second-team offense. His devotion has fetched him admiration from coaches and teammates alike. Sills’ NFL career has spanned the last six seasons, spending time with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants. These days, he’s all-in on establishing his legacy in the league.
His time as a student athlete at West Virginia University sealed his nationwide superstardom. Sills was a consensus first-team All-American in 2017, tying for the FBS lead with 18 touchdown catches that season. At only 13 years old, Sills made waves by originally committing to the University of Southern California as a quarterback. From there, he became the starting quarterback at West Virginia before switching to wide receiver.
“I think there’s obviously a lot of talent that goes into [playing wide receiver], but I think it’s almost an art,” Sills explained. He understands that players come in various shapes and colors—big, fast. He doesn’t think that a receiver has to break out in one specific way.
Sills hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2023 and hasn’t recorded a catch since 2022. Even with this, he remains positive about his prospects. He likes to think that his diverse musical upbringing has molded him into a distinctive musician and human being. “It’s been a fun ride from college to high school and even now in the league,” said Pouncey. That journey is really part of what has made you who you are today.
As Sills’ recent stand-out performances in training camp have turned heads, the chance for Sills to make the Falcons start roster is alive and well. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson praised his versatility, adding that Sills has shown tremendous growth and a willingness to be molded.
I think I’ve had, I can say, 100-percent certainty, a really good training camp.” Sills added. His confidence is not unwarranted, it’s well placed. His confidence stems from how good he truly is. Beyond that, it illustrates his commitment to learning the intricacies of wide receiver play. He understood that a lot of the guys around him had been honing their craft at this level since kids. This has created a very steep learning curve.
As Sills said, the thing that people mean by success is arrived at in so many different ways. He doesn’t think there’s one definition of what a successful receiver is supposed to be. His strategy is all about playing to his rare strengths while getting better at the game itself year in and year out.
As Sills approaches these roster decisions, he focuses on the one thing he can control — himself. I might not be able to change what’s outside of me, he told us in an interview. Such is life, but I can control my attitude, my effort, and the example I set at practice each and every day. This mindset reflects his determination to succeed while remaining grounded amid the uncertainties of professional football.
Sills is thankful for the journey that has shaped him. He is deeply convinced of the path he has pursued to get here. For him, this has been an important step in his development. Here’s how that process has helped him become a better athlete and a better person.
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