- German receiver Moritz Boehringer “impressed” with his sure-handedness and route-running skills at his workout Friday, Pauline reports. Representatives from the Bengals, Bills, Patriots, Broncos, Jets, Bears, Falcons, Saints and Panthers were in attendance.
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Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2016 season, the team announced today in a press release. The NFL handed down the four-game ban due to a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
“We are disappointed to hear the news regarding Jalen today,” Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said in a statement. “I have already spoken to Jalen about this, and I have no doubt this will be something that he will learn from.”
Collins, a second-round pick out of LSU last year, played in all 16 games during his rookie season in Atlanta, but made just two starts and didn’t see extensive playing time on defense. Collins was viewed as a candidate to be selected much higher than 42nd overall, where the Falcons nabbed him, but other teams steered clear due to some off-field red flags.
According to reports, multiple clubs flagged Collins due to his marijuana use, and the 23-year-old admitted after the draft that he failed at least three drug tests at LSU. While that off-field history didn’t have an impact on Collins’ rookie season, it seems the Falcons have been burned in his sophomore year, though it’s not clear what substance caused Collins to fail his test.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Could the Falcons be considering a local standout with their first-round pick? D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who was born in Atlanta and played his college ball at Georgia, is paying a visit to the Falcons on Friday. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) reports that the Falcons also hosted Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs on a visit this week, while Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets that Stony Brook defensive end Victor Ochi is in Atlanta today to meet with the team.
- Marvez also passes along an update from a SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance by Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen, who said he has had workouts or meetings with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Falcons, and Cowboys (Twitter link).
- Falcons right tackle Ryan Schraeder has signed his restricted free agent tender, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. It’s a one-year pact that will pay him $2.553MM. Schraeder was one of the few RFAs who may have drawn interest from rival teams despite receiving a second-round tender, but it appears no clubs were willing to make a serious play for him.
- Atlanta native Myles Jack is visiting with the Falcons today, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Jack’s former defensive coordinator at UCLA, Jeff Ulbrich, is now the Falcons’ linebackers coach. The Falcons currently own the No. 17 overall pick in the 2016 draft.
- Germain Ifedi has a busy schedule upcoming after performing for teams at Texas A&M’s pro day Wednesday. The Aggies’ latest tackle prospect has a slew of visits and workouts booked, WalterFootball.com’s Tony Pauline reports. Ifedi’s visit itinerary features summits with the Lions, Panthers, Bears and Texans after having already met with the Titans and Dolphins. The Cardinals, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Panthers, Texans and Falcons have scheduled workouts with Ifedi.
- Western Carolina wide receiver Karnorris Benson worked out for the Falcons on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Colts and Falcons are taking a long look at Boise State safety Darian Thompson, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. As previously reported, Atlanta had multiple members of its front office out at Thompson’s Pro Day.