The past couple of weeks were relatively quiet in terms of Falcons news, but there’s been no shortage of interesting tidbits to come out since the beginning of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Tuesday kicked off with some big news when the team announced it would be letting tight end Austin Hooper, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and guard Wes Schweitzer test the free agent market:
According to Thomas Dimitroff, Austin Hooper, De'Vondre Campbell and Wes Schweitzer will likely hit free agency but we're hopeful that they will stay in Atlanta.https://t.co/lJA6nTijo1
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 25, 2020
This doesn’t guarantee that all three players will sign elsewhere, but it certainly seems unlikely that Campbell and Hooper will take less money to stay in Atlanta.
Regarding defensive end Takk McKinley, the Falcons are not committing to picking up his fifth-year option. There was a bit of confusion regarding the team’s stance, but was cleared up by The Athletic’s Jason Butt:
I asked TD, he said no decision has been made. I asked DQ, he said they weren’t picking it up. Another reporter followed up with DQ on what Thomas said. DQ said to go with what Thomas said, “still deciding.” I followed up with team after, stance is DQ misinterpreted question. https://t.co/cQnlurZc3W
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) February 25, 2020
In terms of edge prospects at the combine, the team clearly needs to find at least one with Vic Beasley out of the picture and McKinley’s future beyond 2020 uncertain.
GM Thomas Dimitroff spoke about this year’s defensive end class and sounded to be pretty high on Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa:
Dimitroff says Iowa players are always “pro ready” 👀👀 AJ Epenesa is one of the top DE prospects this year & he went to Iowa.
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) February 25, 2020
Several combine participants have confirmed that they’ve talked to the Falcons. Although these reported meetings tend to get blown out of proportion, it’s still interesting to hear which players the team is looking into.
Some of the names to leak so far are running backs Cam Akers and J.K. Dobbins, while Georgia RB D’Andre Swift reportedly hasn’t spoken to Atlanta:
Cam Akers says the #Falcons told him they were “very interested” in him when he spoke with them this week.
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) February 26, 2020
JK Dobbins — a running back name that’s been linked to the Falcons in mocks — says he has talked to the #Falcons pic.twitter.com/Ex0BBbGk3Z
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) February 26, 2020
I asked #UGA running back D’Andre Swift if he’s met with the #Falcons this week at the NFL Combine. He says he has not and does not have a meeting planned with them.
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) February 26, 2020
Both Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Clyde Edwards-Helaire have had informal meetings with the #Falcons
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) February 26, 2020
Make sure to check back for more Falcons news and updates from the combine. Plus, don’t forget to read our 7 second-round targets for Atlanta in the 2020 draft.
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