FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons, who are re-vamping their linebacker unit, agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Ravens and Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw on Friday.
Upshaw will be counted on to add toughness to the defensive front seven and will play the Leo/outside linebacker position.
Upshaw, 26,was drafted by the Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played has played in 64 games and made 51 starts for the Ravens. He has five career sacks.
Last season, he was also a part of a defense that only allowed 337.4 yards per game, which was the eighth-lowest total in the NFL in 2015.
Upshaw recorded 141 total tackles (88 solo), 17.5 sacks, 36.5 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, five passes defensed, three fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns during his time with the Crimson Tide.
He won two national championships at Alabama, and was named the BCS National Championship MVP in 2012. He is a native of Eufaula, AL.
