FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons are the "front runners" to land Houston Texans outside linebacker Brooks Reed, according to his agent Kenneth Zuckerman.
“He likes their defense,” said Zuckerman on Monday. "He can play all of their linebacker positions and they like his pass-rushing ability.”
Reed was selected in the second-round of the 2011 draft (42nd overall) by the Houston Texans out of Arizona.
The signing of Reed would soften the blow of apparently losing linebacker Sean Weatherspoon to the Arizona Cardinals.
Players can not sign with teams until 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the start of the league's new business year. The league's open negotiating period opened on Saturday.
Reed, 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, is durable. He has started 52 of 60 games over his career and has played in 16 games in three of the four seasons. Weatherspoon, who slated to sign a one-year, $4 million deal, has been oft-injured and has just played in seven games over the past two seasons.
Last season for the Texans, Reed, 28, had 41 combined tackles, three sacks and one interception in 16 games (13 starts). He had six sacks during his rookie season but hasn’t had more than three in a season since.
The Falcons believe that Reed’s numbers can improve dramatically like Connor Barwin, another former Texan. He left for Philadelphia after the 2012 season and had five sacks in 2013 and 14.5 last season for the Eagles.
The New York Jets, Chicago, Arizona and Oakland are also interested in Reed.
FALCONS POTENTIAL UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
K Matt Bryant - signed a three-year contract extension.
G-T Gabe Carimi -- will not be re-signed.
S Charles Godfrey -- has re-signed with the team.
DE Cliff Matthews re-signed a two-year contract on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
CB Robert McClain -- has drawn interests from four teams including the Dolphins and Saints.
TE Bear Pascoe is not returning to the team.
DT Corey Peters is headed for free agency. Team has a lot of cash tied up in Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai. Also, snaps would free up for development of Rashede Hageman.
RB Antone Smith - The New York Giants are interested in signing Smith.
LB Sean Weatherspoon Team is working hard on this deal, but Arizona may be waiting in the wings to make a big push for him.
FALCONS STORIES
Falcons to focus on adding another cornerstone
Quinn-Dimitroff partnership off to a strong start
Q&A with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired up to watch pass-rushers
Q&A with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on moving forward
Falcons to keep character filter on draft picks
Falcons close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant
Falcons LT Jake Matthews recovering from offseason surgery
Falcons plan to extend WR Julio Jones contract
Falcons could target Denver TE Julius Thomas in free agency
Falcons' roster gutting could have big names (i.e. Steven Jackson)
Cutting the Falcons roster -- Should they stay or should they go?
COMBINE STORIES
Todd Gurley speaks about autograph-signing caper
Bucs appear set to cast future with Jameis Winston
Todd Gurley intriguing prospect to NFL teams
Chris Conley puts on a dazzling show at the combine
Waller, Smelter out to prove NFL standing at the combine
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine
Watch: NFL Network's Mike Mayock at the combine
Watch: Todd Gurley has interviews set up with 24 NFL teams
Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine
Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine
FALCONS COMBINE MEETINGS
Oregon DE Arik Armstead talked scheme with the Falcons
Falcons met with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
Falcons to meet with Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Falcons met with Alabama safety Landon Collins
PHOTO GALLERIES
Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine
