Falcons Interested In Michigan State OT Jack Conklin
- Michigan State offensive tackle and prospective first-rounder Jack Conklin has met with or worked out for the Titans, Bills, Chargers, Steelers, Falcons, Jets, Colts, Buccaneers and Lions, he told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
- Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett worked out for and/or visited the Panthers, Titans, Falcons, Patriots, Chargers, Packers and previously reported Jets, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Falcons Hosting Sharrod Neasman For Visit
- Florida Atlantic safety Sharrod Neasman is also paying a visit to the Cowboys this week, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link). However, before heading to Dallas, Neasman is heading to Atlanta today to meet with the Falcons, says Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, adding that the Lions have also either worked out or hosted the safety.
Falcons Targeting Linebackers; Meeting With Emmanuel Ogbah
Following the trend set by the Rams and the Cardinals, among others, the Falcons will be eyeing hybrid linebacker/safeties in this year’s draft, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution details. Los Angeles’ Mark Barron and Arizona’s Deone Bucannon are just two examples of “safeties” who have morphed into linebacker roles, and several prospects in the 2016 draft, including LSU’s Deion Jones, USC’s Su’a Cravens, and Florida’s Keanu Neal — all of whom Atlanta has met with — could make a similar transition.
“In the college game, they are more spread out,” said Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. “They are more open. You’re seeing more space players come out, who are the 215-, 225-pound linebackers who are outside and playing in space. Those players, we are finding ways to feature them at the NFL level as well because of their athletic ability.”
- Even if they do end up targeting hybrid linebackers in the draft, the Falcons still need to add talent and depth at the prototypical LB position, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com in his overview of the club as they open offseason workouts. Ohio State’s Darron Lee and Alabama’s Reggie Ragland could both be options for Atlanta at No. 17, opines McClure, who adds that edge-rusher is also near the top of the Falcons’ list of draft needs.
- Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah will take a short tour of the NFC South this week, as he’s lined up visits with both the Falcons and the Panthers, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). The 6’4″, 270-pound edge rusher could very well be available at either pick No. 17 or No. 30, where Atlanta and Carolina currently sit, respectively.
Falcons Targeting Safety-Linebcker Hybrids In Draft
- Taking a page out of the Rams’ and Cardinals’ playbooks, the Falcons are searching for safety-linebacker hybrids that are strong against the run but who can also cover running backs and tackle in the open field, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. To that end, Atlanta has visited and/or had private workouts with players like Su’a Cravens, Keanu Neal, and Deion Jones, whose physical tools are similar to those of Los Angeles’ Mark Barron and Arizona’s Deone Bucannon.
Falcons Interested In Jaylon Smith's Medical Recheck
- Because they only have five picks in this year’s draft, the Falcons are going to have to take a different approach when targeting players, Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We think the draft is going to be interesting for us and creative for us,” said Dimitroff, and Ledbetter notes that the club might explore trading down from the No. 17 pick. Additionally, the Falcons are said to be one of a number of teams that are “very interested” in Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith‘s medical recheck, presumably because Smith could prove to be a draft-day steal if he slips.
Ledbetter: Falcons Could Use 17th Pick To Collect Assets
- The Falcons only have five picks heading into the draft, so D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the team will have to be creative with their approach. The writer wonders if the front office could potentially trade the 17th pick for additional assets. Atlanta could also target Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, who has fallen from the top-five following a knee injury at the Fiesta Bowl.
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Falcons Eyeing Brandon Swindall, Jeremy Cash
- The Rams, Falcons, and Seahawks are among the teams interested in Utah State wide receiver Brandon Swindall, who has intrigued NFL clubs, writes Aaron Wilson of The National Football Post.
- Duke safety Jeremy Cash had more than 10 teams at his pro day, including the Panthers, Steelers, Falcons, Cardinals, and Saints, tweets Rand Getlin of NFL.com.
Falcons Seeking Right Guard
The Falcons are on the lookout for an upgrade at right guard, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. Last year’s starter, Chris Chester, would like to return to Atlanta, so he could be one option. Other than that, the Falcons have Mike Person, but they’re not terribly high on him. Atlanta could find their right guard solution in the draft and multiple sources tell McClure that they like UCLA offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch as an interior lineman. The Bruins right tackle recently worked out for Atlanta brass and made a solid impression. Benenoch, a likely later-round pick, has drawn attention for teams because of his ability to play four of the five spots on the offensive line.
- Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland is scheduled to visit the Falcons on Sunday and Monday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes.
Falcons To Meet With Moritz Boehringer
- German wide receiver Moritz Boehringer had team visits with the Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings last week, as Andy Fenelon of NFL.com writes. On Monday and Tuesday, he met with the Rams, on Wednesday he’ll visit the Seahawks, and next week he’ll visit the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers. Boehringer started turning heads in the NFL last month and one scout estimated in March that he could go in the fourth round. Based on the number of teams interested in him, one has to wonder if Boehringer could go even earlier.
Falcons Interested In David Hedelin
- Purdue offensive lineman David Hedelin is drawing interest from the Chiefs, Lions, Falcons, Broncos, Patriots, Washington, and Dolphins, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.