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Falcons sign five draft picks

Notre Dame linebacker Prince Shembo (55) celebrates as he's hugged by teammate Stephon Tuitt after a tackle for a loss against Temple during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Notre Dame linebacker Prince Shembo (55) celebrates as he's hugged by teammate Stephon Tuitt after a tackle for a loss against Temple during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
By
May 18, 2014

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Five Falcons' draft picks, linebacker Prince Shembo, cornerback Ricardo Allen, linebacker Marquis Spruill, linebacker Yawin Smallwood, and linebacker Tyler Starr, all signed contracts with the Falcons on Sunday.

The terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

First-round tackle Jake Matthews, second-round defensive end Ra'Shede Hageman, third-round safety Dezmen Southward and fourth-round running back Devonta Freeman remain unsigned.

The Falcons are following the league trend of trying to wrap up their rookie signings quickly.

Jake Matthews brings strength of family to the Falcons

Ra'Shede Hageman could turn into defensive force for Falcons

Dezmen Southward ready to compete for playing time

Explore Warrick Dunn likes the pick of FSU's Devonta Freeman

Falcons signed 20 undrafted rookie free agents, 5 from SEC 

Falcons invite 24 players in for tryouts

NFL Draft 2014: ESPN's Todd McShay on the Falcons' draft class

VIDEO: Reaction to the Atlanta Falcons' 2014 draft class

Explore Round 1 / 6 -- Jake Matthews, RT, 6-5, 308, Texas A&M
Explore Round 2/37 – Ra’Shede Hageman, DE, 6-6, Minnesota

Round 3/68 – Dezmen Southward, FS, 6-0, 211, Wisconsin

Explore Round 4/103 – Devonta Freeman, RB, 5-8, 206, Florida State
Explore Round 4/139 – Prince Shembo, LB, 6-1, 253 Notre Dame
Explore Round 5/147 – Ricardo Allen, CB, 5-9, 187, Purdue
Explore Round 5/168 – Marquis Spruill, LB, 6-1, 231, Syracuse
Explore Round 7/253 – Yawin Smallwood, LB, 6-2, 246, Connecticut
Explore Round 7/255 – Tyler Starr, LB, 6-4, 250, South Dakota

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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