FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons draft board is finalized.
The hay is pretty much in the barn at this point and they are pretty certain to have a decision to make on a quality defensive player when they select with the 17th overall pick of the NFL draft, which is set for Thursday through Saturday in Chicago.
Here are the five things we learned this week:
1. Three starters or contributors? Falcons owner Arthur Blank expects his football men to land thee starters in the draft. General manager Thomas Dimitroff believes three major contributors would be nice and head coach Dan Quinn isn't in the business of handing out starting spots to rookies. "I think any time that you go into a draft you get as many starters as possible," Dimitroff said. "Everyone would love to get seven plus starters out of it." Quinn noted that the rookies draft picks won't be promised any playing time and that competition is the central theme of his operation. Check out this video: "Falcons looking for contributors, not three starters."
2. Trufant's deal done. In what was a presumptive move, the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on cornerback Desmond Trufant, a first-round pick in 2013, who has developed into a Pro Bowler. Trufant, 25, plays left cornerback and made the Pro Bowl last season. The fifth-year is worth $8.026 million.
3. Floyd to workout on Saturday. Former Georgia standout Leonard Floyd is set to workout for the Falcons on Saturday. Some have Floyd projected to be drafted by the New York Giants, who hold the 10th overall pick in the draft. Mike Mayock is worried about Floyd's lack of power, but believes he'll be a top 10 pick.
4. Roster moves. The Falcons reached injury settlements with Beau Gardner and Adam Replogle on Friday. Their injuries were undisclosed.
5. New Locker room set up: The Falcons started their offseason program on Monday. The players learned that they have a revamped locker room and new neighbors. Quinn said re-arranged the locker room in an attempt to foster togetherness.
[cmg_cinesport url="http://cinesport.ajc.com/embed/ajc-nfl-atlanta-falcons/d-led-top-3-names-falcons-draft/"]
The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter gives his top players for the Falcons to draft at #17, talks about the interest in LB Myles Jack & tells CineSport’s Noah Coslov where the team may go in round 2.
LATEST ON THE FALCONS
Falcons set offseason training schedule
Falcons 61 draft picks under GM Thomas Dimitroff
Falcons could wear all-Red uniforms for a game next season
Touchback rule has Quinn plotting strategy
FREE AGENCY STORIES
Falcons' Dan Quinn loyal to Shanahan, staff, amid heat
Linebacker Jerrell Freeman won't be joining Falcons
Weatherspoon hopes to revive career, where it started
Falcons agree to five-year deal with center Alex Mack
Mohamed Sanu: 'I'm not trying to fill anybody's shoes'
Alabama defensive tackles (A'Shawn and Jarran) are NFL-ready
Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox gets into shoving match at NFL combine
Floyd, Jenkins are stellar NFL prospects
Firm helps NFL prospects prepare for newfound wealth -- 7 financial pitfalls they'll face
Ex-Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins has met with the Falcons
Clemson's Shaq Lawson interviewed with the Falcons
Nkemdiche has uphill battle to improve NFL draft status
Nkemdiche would love to play for the Falcons
14 questions with Georgia Tech standout Adam Gotsis
Falcons checking out interior linemen at the combine
18 questions with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff
Quinn still evaluating the roster -- Nothing new on Roddy White
7 players the Falcons are watching at the combine
13 questions with Falcons coach Dan Quinn
5 questions with Duke punter Will Monday (Flowery Branch High)
26 State prospects hope to make impact at NFL combine
Synthetic turf chosen for Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Dimitroff, Quinn have activated the '100-day' plan
Stay or go: Pick Falcons' offense
Falcons owner Arthur Blank vows to fight cancer, move on Super Bowl bid
Falcons released safety William Moore, linebacker Justin Durant
About the Author