FLOWERY BRANCH – At the outset of training camp, we gave you three longshots to watch.
After the first four days of practice and two padded practices, we have two more players to add to the list:
Former UGA wide receiver Reggie Davis and former Arkansas State defensive end Charles Odom. Here' a story on how Davis has been doing.
Odom has been impressive in one-on-one pass rushing drills.
It's going to be hard to make the roster from perhaps the two most talented position groups on the roster, but both will get a chance to show what they can do during the exhibition season.
For those planning to attend the open training camp practice, watch numbers are 1, 87, 56, 55 and 93.
Last season, Brian Poole and C.J. Goodwin were in the longshot group and made the team.
Here's the updated list of five longshots who could make the 53-man roster:
1 -- Reggie Davis, Georgia. After rookie minicamp, the Falcons elected to sign the former University of Georgia wide receiver. Unfortunately, Davis is best known for dropping a potential game-tying touchdown against Tennessee in 2015. Davis, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, caught 38 passes for 618 yards and two touchdowns over his career. Not having a top-flight quarterback for most of his career contributed to the low production. Davis is also a kickoff and punt returner. The Falcons have an opening after not re-signing Eric Weems, who signed with Tennessee in free agency. Davis averaged 21.2 yards on 47 career kickoff returns and 7.4 yards on 34 punt returns and had one touchdown.
87 – Deante Burton, Kansas State. The 6-foot-2, 205 pounder made 35 career starts at Kansas State, including his final 26 games. He caught 84 passes for 1,085 yards with five touchdowns in four seasons, and is the 29th player in school history to record 1,000 career receiving yards. He was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2016 and a second team pick in 2014. Burton was part of a Wildcat senior class that went 32-20 with two bowl victories in four years.
56 – Jermaine Grace, Miami. The 6-foot-1, 210 pounder, was the Hurricanes' leading tackler (79) in 2015. He was dismissed along with defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad on Aug. 27 after he was accused of violating NCAA rules in a highly publicized luxury car-rental case and didn't play last season. The Falcons love his speed and striking abilility.
55 – J'Terius Johnson, Miami, Ohio. Jones made 149 total tackles (88 solo) with 35.5 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, six passes defensed, five fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles in three seasons at Miami of Ohio. He is an East Atlanta native and attended Miller Grove High School in Lithonia.
93 – Charles Odom, Arkansas State. He took full advantage of his lone season as a starter at Arkansas State, posting 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles in 13 games. The Texas native has an NFL pedigree as his father, Cliff, spent 13 seasons with the Colts. Additionally, he played on the same defensive line as number one overall pick, Myles Garrett at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas.
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