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The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter and CineSport’s Noah Coslov get into the Falcons regrets and surprises from the NFL Draft. Plus, they talk about the ceiling for LB Vic Beasley.
UPDATED WEDNESDAY 10:57 AM: Here's the Falcons "official" list of signed undrafted rookie free agents:
North Texas linebacker Derek Akunne, Tarleton State defensive tackle Chris Brown, Central Oklahoma wide receiver Marquez Clark, Azusa Pacific University offensive lineman Cody Clay, Louisville safety Terell Floyd, Northern Arizona tight end Beau Gardner, Wisconsin defensive tackle Warren Herring, Fort Valley State cornerback Mike Lee, Cincinnati tackle Eric Lefeld, Oregon linebacker Derrick Malone, Houston defensive tackle Joey Mbu, Central Florida cornerback Jordan Ozerities, Florida Atlantic safety Damian Parms, Ottawa University wide receiver Joshua Stangby, Auburn safety Robenson Therezie, New Mexico State center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, Oregon State running back Terron Ward, Texas Christian cornerback Kevin White, and Indiana wide receiver Shane Wynn.
FLOWERY BRANCH – Not sure what's taking so long for the Falcons to release their list of undrafted rookie free agents (UDRFA) or college free agents (CFA), as general manager Thomas Dimitroff likes to call them. (Guess he doesn't like calling them "undrafted" or something).
The players -- draft picks, undrafted rookie signees and tryout players -- are due to report on Thursday and will practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the team's rookie minicamp.
One of the most interesting signees is Cincinnati left tackle Eric Lefeld, an all-conference left tackle.
All seven draft picks are scheduled to participate.
Here’s a partial list of “official” signings by the Falcons (when we get the full "official" list, we’ll update):
Derek Akunne, North Texas, LB, 6-0, 242: Led North Texas and Conference USA with 108 tackles (65 solo/43 assists), led North Texas with 8.5 tackles for losses and ranked among conference leaders with three forced fumbles. He was team captain and we how the Falcons like team captains.
Chris Brown, Tarleton State, DT 6-3, 333: Impressed scouts with his pro day performance clocking a 5.52 40-yard dash, a 26-1/2-inch vertical and 8'2" in the broad jump, as well as a 5.06 20-yard short shuttle and an 8.16 second mark in the the three-cone drill.
Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma, 5-11, 190: Earned All-America honors in 2013 after setting school records with 82 receptions and 1,348 receiving yards. He earned Southwest Junior College Football Conference Player of the Year honors and was a first-team All-America selection as a sophomore at Navarro Junior College before transferring to UCO. Clark is a native of Texarkana, Texas and attended Liberty-Eylau High School.
Cody Clay, Azusa Pacific University, OL, 6-6, 305: He's from Fullerton, Calif. And played two seasons at Fullerton Community College where he was named to first-team all-conference as a sophomore. Clay helped clear the way for running back Terrell Watson, who led Division II in total rushing yards with 2,153.
Terell Floyd, Louisville, S, 5-10, 203: He played in 50 games over his career and made 143 tackles and eight interceptions. Last season he had 49 tackles and one interception. He played cornerback for his first three seasons before moving to safety last season.
Beau Gardner, Northern Arizona, TE, 6-4, 253: He went on a Mormon mission after high school. Started his career at Mesa Community College. He's 26 years old. Gardner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds at the NAU Pro Day. His time would have been third among tight ends at the NFL combine. He had a 41 inch vertical jump, which would have been first place at the combine.
Warren Herring, Wisconsin, DT, 6-3, 294: Played in 44 games over his career with the Badgers and started in 28 games. He made 56 tackles and had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for losses. Was Wisconsin's Scout Team player of the year back in 2010. He suffered a knee injury early in the season against LSU, but came back to play in eight games.
Mike Lee, Fort Valley State, CB, 6-1, 185: He played at Eagles Landing High in McDonough before playing for the Wildcats. He had 41 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups last season. He also caught two passes on offense.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Eric Lefeld, Cincinnati, OT, 6-6, 310: Converted from offensive line to defensive line as a freshmen in 2011. Was named all-Big East first team as a left tackle in 2012. Was on the Outland Trophy watch list in 2013. He has to get stronger after lifting 225 pounds just 12 times at his Pro Day.
Derrick Malone, Oregon, LB, 6-2, 220: He was the Ducks second leading tackler in 2014 with 85 stops. He finished his career with 246 tackles (116 solo), seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and eight passes defensed.
Joey Mbu, Houston, DT, 6-3, 310: He started all 13 games for the Cougars in 2014, serving as a team captain and earning first team All-AAC honors. He posted 92 tackles (38 solo) with 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed in 50 career games.
Jordan Ozerities, Central Florida, CB, 5-10, 186: He startedall 13 games last season and had 69 tackles, 11 pass breakups and three interceptions. He played strong in big games against Penn State and Missouri.
Damian Parms, Florida Atlantic, S, 6-2, 210: He's a big-hitter and finished with 84 tackles, which was second on the team. He's a classic in the box safety who struggles in coverage. He was the 15th rated strong safety in the draft according to nfldraftscout.com.
Joshua Stangby, Ottawa University, WR, 5-9, 180: He's a tryout player. He finished last season with 56 catches for 1,046 yards and 14 touchdowns. Stangby averaged 18.7 yards per catch and 87.2 yards receiving per game. He finished the season ranked 17th in the NAIA in total receiving yards (1,046), 19th in total points scored (84), 20th in receiving yards per game (87.2), 28th in scoring per game (7), 32nd in total receptions (56), 36th in all-purpose yards (1,322), 41st in receptions per game (4.7), and 47th in all-purpose yards per game (110.2).
Robenson Therezie, Auburn, S, 5-9 5/8, 212: He made four tackles at the College Gridiron Showcase and returned punts. He interviewed with the Rams, Ravens, 49ers and Chiefs. He's part safety-linebacker and he could probably contribute on special teams while learning how to play nickel back in the NFL. Therezie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at Auburn's Pro Day. That time would have placed him third among all defensive backs at the NFL Combine. His 19 reps on the bench press would have tied for seventh.
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, New Mexico State, C, 6-3, 295: He was a four-year starter at center for the Aggies and served as a team captain during his senior season in 2014. He was a first team All-Sun Belt selection last season.
Terron Ward, Oregon State, RB, 5-7, 201: He finished his career with 1,843 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. He also added 87 receptions for 664 receiving yards in his career and was a key player on the Beavers special teams units.
Kevin White, Texas Christian, CB, 5-10, 174: He finished his career with 146 total tackles (118 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 27 passes defensed. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the conference's coaches in 2014, notching career highs with 51 tackles (44 solo), four tackles for loss, and 11 passes defensed.
Shane Wynn, Indiana, WR, 5-7, 167: He finished his career tied for second in receptions (189), third in kick return yardage (1,854), tied for third in receiving touchdowns (20), fourth in all-purpose yardage (4,429), seventh in receiving yardage (2,198), and tied for eighth in total touchdowns (25) on the Hoosiers career lists. He served as a team captain alongside Falcons third-round Draft choice Tevin Coleman in 2014 and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Wynn is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and attended Glenville High School.
AJC's 2015 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
Falcons pick Vic Beasley, pass on Todd Gurley
Scouting report: Vic Beasley the next DeMarcus Ware or a one-trick pony?
Grady Jarrett escapes fire before Falcons draft him
MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Vic Beasley: The right pick at the right time
JEFF SCHULTZ COLUMN: Falcons' Quinn determined to fix pass rush in draft
STEVE HUMMER feature on first-round pick Vic Beasley
Falcons add CB Jalen Collins in the second round
Falcons add RB Tevin Coleman in the third round
Falcons' draft bios round 2 through 7
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the Falcons draft class
VIDEO
Vic Beasley plans to be a double-digit sack guy
Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn on the first round of the draft
Falcons coach Dan Quinn on 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
Dimitroff and Quinn on 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
Quinn on 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
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