FLOWERY BRANCH – On the eve of the start free agency, the Falcons saw a couple of potential free-agent targets re-sign with their former teams.
Teams can start talking to agents at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Washington re-signed tight end Niles Paul and the New York Jets re-signed linebacker David Harris on Friday.
Paul is set to receive just under $10 million over three seasons, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post.
The Falcons are expected to try to upgrade the tight end position during free agency. St. Louis tight end Lance Kendricks is on the team’s radar. Denver’s Julius Thomas, the top tight end on the market, but he may be too expensive for the Falcons.
Paul was drafted by Washington in the fifth round in 2011. He’s 6-1, 241 pounds and has caught 53 passes for 735 yards and two touchdowns. He played under new Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with Washington.
He has played in 60 games and made 17 starts. Last season he caught a career-high 39 passes on 52 targets for 507 yards and one touchdown.
Harris signed a three-year deal worth $21.5 million, a source told Kimberley Martin of Newsday. The deal includes $15 million guaranteed over the first two years of the contract.
Harris, 31, has registered over 880 tackles and has 30 sacks over his career.
The Falcons have been working hard to re-sign veteran linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. There’s likely an issue over his value as he’s recovering from Achilles surgery.
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
