12 key offseason dates for Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons will return to  the field this summer.

Credit: Tim Warner

Credit: Tim Warner

Atlanta Falcons will return to the field this summer.

The Atlanta Falcons have begun the process of evaluating talent.

Here are the key dates to know about as the team heads into the 2017 offseason.

Feb. 15

Franchise tag window opens

The Falcons have two weeks to decide if they want to use one of the three tag options available to keep a top-tier potential free agent. A tag has to be placed on a player no later than 4 p.m., March 1. The last time the Falcons applied the franchise tag on a player was on cornerback Brent Grimes in 2012.

Feb. 28- March 6 

Falcons scouted Florida defensive back Keanu Neal during drills at the 2016 NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Credit: Gregory Payan

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Credit: Gregory Payan

NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis 

Prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft will interview with teams and take part in physical, health and mental tests during the weeklong event. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff will be among the Falcons officials present and participating in press conferences.

March 7 

Free-agent negotiating window 

At noon, teams can begin contract talks with agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents. No contracts can be finalized until official start of free agency.

March 9 

Center Alex Mack, acquired in free agency last offseason, was a key figure in the Falcons' offense.

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

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Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Free agency starts 

4 p.m. marks the official start of the new league year. Teams can begin signing players to new contracts. The Falcons added center Alex Mack and Mohamed Sanu during free agency period last season.

March 26-29 

League meetings 

Owners and league officials gather in Phoenix for three days of meeting. New rule changes can be addressed. Falcons coach Dan Quinn will likely address media.

April 17 

Training can begin

The Falcons' nine-week offseason workout program begins with players able to train at the team's Flowery Branch facilities.

April 18-20 

The date of the first official Falcons game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be made public in April.

Credit: Atlanta Falcons

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Credit: Atlanta Falcons

The schedule is released

The Falcons' game schedule for 2017 will be released in the third week of April. Atlanta will play the following opponents in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Carolina Panthers; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; New Orleans Saints; Green Bay Packers; Minnesota Vikings; Buffalo Bills; Miami Dolphins; and Dallas Cowboys. The team will travel to face: Carolina Panthers; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; New Orleans Saints; Chicago Bears; Detroit Lions; New England Patriots; New York Jets; and Seattle Seahawks.

April 21 

Restricted free agent offers

Deadline for all restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. The Falcons linebacker Tyler Starr, offensive lineman Ben Garland, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel ($510,000) and defensive back Akeem King as restricted free agents.

April 27-29 

The 2016 NFL Draft  was held in Chicago. In 2017, it moves to Philadelphia, site of the very first league draft.

Credit: Nam Y. Huh

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Credit: Nam Y. Huh

2017 NFL Draft

The 2017 NFL Draft will be held in Philadelphia. As Super Bowl runners-up, the Falcons hold the 31st overall pick.

May 5-8 or May 12-15 

Rookie camps

Under NFL rules, the Falcons have the option to host a three-day rookie minicamp on one of these weekends.

Falcons rookies run drills during the first day of 2016 rookie minicamp at the team's Flowery Branch headquarters.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Late June 

OTAs (Organized team activities)

The Falcons hold a mandatory, three-day minicamp for team veterans.

Late July 

Training camp opens

Preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players begins seven days before Falcons veterans are required to report to Flowery Branch. Dates, times remain to be determined.

Of note: The NFL exhibition season opens earlier this season with the annual Hall of Fame Game being played on Thursday, Aug. 3, instead of the traditional Sunday night following the enshrinement ceremony for new Hall of Famers. Former Falcons kicker Morten Andersen is among the 15 finalists to enter the Hall Aug. 5.