Flowery Branch — D.J. Shockley jogged from drill to drill Monday at the Falcons' first mini-camp of 2008. At every stop he could only watch fellow quarterbacks Chris Redman and Joey Harrington take all the snaps.

The injured left knee that cost Shockley his 2007 season hasn't completely healed. The injury was awful timing because constant turnover at quarterback created opportunities.

Shockley is in the unenviable position as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. Both Redman and Harrington signed new contracts in the offseason. By April 28, a day after the NFL draft, Shockley could be No. 4. That isn't good since most NFL teams typically carry three quarterbacks. Atlanta is expected to select a quarterback — possibly Boston College's Matt Ryan with the No. 3 overall pick — and the pecking order will change.

"You're going to have to compete regardless of who they bring in," Shockley said Monday, as he wore an observer's stocking cap on the chilly day instead of a helmet. "If they draft a guy or don't draft a guy, I have to compete with the guys who are here. You have competition everywhere."

Shockley said head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey assured him that not participating in this mini-camp wouldn't be held against him. It's a lucky break for a player who has not taken a regular-season game snap in two seasons — the most recent being spent on injured reserve.

Not being able to participate in the May mini-camp, when rookies will be included, might not be as excusable.

"I'm like 90-95 percent ready to go," Shockley said. "It's a technical thing getting me cleared to go. The next mini-camp is the goal. I think I'll be ready to go."

Smith said he wants to see Shockley in action.

"We're eager to see what all these guys that are hurt can do," Smith said. "D.J., I know is anxious to get out on the field. He's way ahead of his schedule as far as the rehabilitation is concerned. As soon as the doctors clear him we're going to get him out there."

Shockley said he's not worried about his job, even though his injury could force him to change his game from a scrambling, outside-the-pocket passer to a traditional drop-back quarterback. He's spent most of his post-high school career having to scrap for opportunities and this is no different.

Shockley sees an opportunity to actually move up the depth chart. After all, he was locked in a heated competition with Redman for the No. 3 job last season before he got hurt in a preseason game at Buffalo. He watched Redman survive then, and through attrition, emerge as a starter.

If there's one thing Shockley learned, nothing is certain.

Along that line, Redman said he doesn't feel that he's done enough to get comfortable.

"I don't think you can ever relax," Redman said. "You have to always keep working. I've got a long way to go. At the same time, I'm very confident that I can go out there and we can score some points and we can get this team to win some games."

Backup quarterback Joey Harrington, who started 10 games last season, was cut this offseason before re-signing for one-year, $1 million — a contract that hardly guarantees a roster spot.

Opportunity "is going to be there," Shockley said. "Like [coach] said, every job is open for competition. Who knows what could happen coming into training camp? I'll be competing and ready to go."