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Atlanta Falcons News & Rumors

Pauline’s Latest: OTs, Steelers, Packers, Bucs

April 28th, 2016 at 5:18pm CST by Dallas Robinson

League insiders believe that as many as six offensive tackles could be selected in the first round of tonight’s draft, according to Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com. Laremy Tunsil, Ronnie Stanley, Jack Conklin, and Taylor Decker are the obvious names, but Jason Spriggs, Le’Raven Clark, and Germain Ifedi are also candidates to go off the board tonight. The clubs that have put the most research into offensive tackles, per Pauline? The Colts, Packers, Seahawks, Broncos, Panthers, and Steelers.

Let’s check out the latest draft rumors, all courtesy of Pauline:

  • Among the teams hoping to trade down tonight are the Falcons, Colts, Vikings, and Jets, according to Pauline. On the other side of the coin, the Cardinals, Panthers, and Broncos may like to trade up. Denver, presumably, would be targeting a quarterback in a trade-up scenario.
  • The Steelers will consider a cornerback at pick No. 25, but they’ll also look at offensive tackles, writes Pauline. Pittsburgh returns Alejandro Villanueva at tackle, and signed Ryan Harris this offseason, but an upgrade wouldn’t be out of the question.
  • The Packers might also like to find a new left tackle, says Pauline, as Green Bay would like to transition incumbent David Bakhtiari to left guard.
  • If pass rusher Noah Spence is still available at the end of the first round, a club might trade back up in order to draft him, per Pauline. The Buccaneers are one team to watch in such a situation.

Falcons' Potential Targets At No. 17

April 27th, 2016 at 9:59am CST by Luke Adams
  • While Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee has frequently been linked to the Falcons at No. 17, Pauline hears that Clemson linemen Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson are also in play. According to Pauline, head coach Dan Quinn has been pushing for the team to select safety Keanu Neal, though that’s probably only a possibility if Atlanta trades down.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Falcons Showing Interest In Army P Tardieu

April 25th, 2016 at 6:19pm CST by Zachary Links
  • Army punter Alex Tardieu is drawing interest from the Giants, Jets, and Falcons, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.

Falcons Work Out Leonard Floyd

April 24th, 2016 at 7:00pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • The Falcons, who sent 16 representatives to watch Leonard Floyd‘s pro day recently, worked out the Georgia linebacker on Saturday on campus, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Floyd weighed 235 pounds Saturday, which is down nine pounds from his Combine weigh-in, per Ledbetter. Picking 17th, the Falcons were impressed with the former Bulldogs ‘backer’s length and speed, Ledbetter notes. Atlanta-based agent Todd France, who represents Vic Beasley, also represents Floyd.

Falcons Considering Nick Vannett

April 22nd, 2016 at 9:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • Some general managers think Ohio State’s Nick Vannett is the only true three-down tight end available in the draft, which could help his stock. The Chargers and Falcons will consider taking Vannett in Round 2 or 3, per Pauline.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/16

April 22nd, 2016 at 3:57pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Here are Friday’s minor moves from around the NFL:

  • The Patriots have signed linebacker Tony Steward and long snapper Christian Yount, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Steward, whom the Bills released earlier this week, appeared in seven games and made two tackles as a sixth-round rookie last season. Yount, on the other hand, has 60 NFL games under his belt, including 48 in a row with the Browns from 2012-14.
  • The Eagles have signed wide receiver T.J. Graham to a one-year contract, according to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Graham, who worked out for the Eagles earlier this week, came into the league as a third-round pick of the Bills in 2012 and has also logged regular-season action with the Jets and Saints. The 26-year-old caught four passes in as many games for New Orleans last season, giving him 61 receptions in 47 career contests.
  • The Falcons have reached injury settlements with tight end Beau Gardner and guard Adam Replogle, both of whom had undisclosed injuries, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Gardner joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent from Northern Arizona last year, but he didn’t suit up in any games for the team. Replogle entered the league undrafted out of Indiana in 2013 and has spent his entire pro tenure with the Falcons, though he never appeared in a game with the organization.

Falcons Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Desmond Trufant

April 22nd, 2016 at 2:33pm CST by Luke Adams

The Falcons have become the latest team to formally exercise their fifth-year option on a 2013 first-round pick. The team announced today (via Twitter) that it has exercised cornerback Desmond Trufant‘s option for 2017. Trufant had indicated earlier this week that he wasn’t thinking much about his option, but that he hopes to remain in Atlanta for the long term.Desmond Trufant

“That’s just for my agent to handle,” Trufant told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “I’m here. I plan on being here a long time. And I’m just here working, bonding with the team. But I know, that’s my agent. They’re going to handle all that. But I’m just here ready to work.”

[RELATED: 2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]

The Falcons’ decision to exercise Trufant’s 2017 option comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old cornerback, who hasn’t missed a game (or a start) in his three seasons in Atlanta, earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015.

Trufant recorded 42 tackles, an interception, a sack, and a pair of fumble recoveries last season, and placed 13th out of 111 qualified cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus’ grades. PFF also ranked Trufant as a top-five defender against the run, among corners.

Trufant’s 2017 option salary will be worth $8.026MM, though he and the Falcons could reach a long-term agreement at any time before or during the ’17 season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Kenny Lawler Worked Out For Falcons

April 22nd, 2016 at 12:12pm CST by Luke Adams
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