1. The no-spin zone: With only a few more weeks until the NFL draft begins April 29, it’s smoke-screen season.
Don’t fall for the smoke screens.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, in his introductory news conference, told us what the was going to do. He’s going to draft the best player available just like Ozzie Newsome used to do in Baltimore and Ron Wolf used to do in Green Bay.
He’s not taking a developmental quarterback with the fourth overall pick when his 4-12 team needs to fix the offensive line, the secondary, find a pass rush, get a running back and a backup quarterback or two.
Given all of the personnel issues, trading back would make some sense with Denver or New England, but both of teams have realized that they can sit and wait for their quarterbacks. Denver can take North Dakota State’s Trey Lance at nine overall, and Alabama’s Mac Jones will be there at 15 for the Patriots.
So with the fourth overall pick, the Falcons will select Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. They can figure out where to play him later. He can have an immediate impact and play 65 to 70 plays a game. Drafting Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, who only impact only 10 to 15 plays again, would not help the team very much.
Also, the Falcons want to draft a player who they’ll have at least for the next six seasons (five plus a potential franchise-tag season) or they would hope he gets to his second contract and the team is set at a key spot for 10 years.
That player is Sewell because San Francisco didn’t trade all those picks to trade up to three to get a developmental quarterback or a quarterback they could have stayed at 12 to take. Look for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to be headed to San Francisco.
We got a chance to chat with Sewell on his virtual media call Monday.
“Trent Williams is my favorite player, right,” Sewell said. “The way his athleticism and power goes hand in hand, it’s very interesting and exciting to watch.”
Sewell wouldn’t mind re-uniting with former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert in Los Angeles, but the Chargers picked 13th overall. If the Falcons don’t select Sewell, he’ll go with the next pick, to the Bengals. There will be no reunion with Herbert.
“I’ve been talking to the Chargers,” Sewell said. “Conversations have been made. To block for Herbert again, I think it’s another vision and dream. It would be fun. I blocked for Herbert throughout this whole time I’ve been here at Oregon, to have that chance again, to share that same field as him again would be a dream come true.”
Sewell and Herbert are represented by the same firm, Athlete’s First.
“Yeah, I’ve talked with Falcons,” Sewell said. “Yeah, it would be honor to go wherever. But definitely, if I went that early, it would eliminate a lot of stress and uncertainty in my mind. Wherever I go, it will be fun.”
Sewell is only 20, but was the best offensive lineman in college football in 2019. He opted out of the 2020 season. He believes he’s mature enough to make the jump to the NFL.
“One word, has been my mentality,” Sewell said when asked to discuss his growth from his high school days. “Going from high school to college, from Utah to Oregon, I just kind of flipped the switch with a whole new mentality of locking in, really taking that next step to be a better player and also be a better person off the field.
“Just kind of again, being mature about it. As young as I am. ... I guess I’ve grown up a little quicker than people my age. My mentality has switched to let become a man.”
Sewell wasn’t too excited about possibly starting his career at guard. The Falcons have an opening at left guard.
“I can prove that I’m a tackle in this league,” Sewell said.
For those who believe that Sewell is not the top tackle in the draft, he had a few words.
“Just go put on the tape,” Sewell said. “Everybody just go ahead and watch what I can do. Nobody can do what I do in this draft in the offensive tackle rooms. I bring something totally different to the table. People know that, but will say whatever they have to say. All I have to say is put on the tape and watch me work.”
Sewell is ready to return to the field.
“The next time I have the opportunity to step in between those lines, I’m going to make the most of it,” Sewell said. “I’m coming with everything that I have, and I’m not coming up short.”
Clear some space in the locker room for Penei Sewell.
Here are the picks for the Mock Draft 4.0 (No trades allowed):
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, (QB, BYU)
3. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)
4. Falcons: Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)
6. Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts, (TE, Florida)
7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaylen Waddle (WR, Alabama)
9. Denver Broncos: Trey Lance (QB, North Dakota State)
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain (CB, Alabama)
11. New York Giants: Micah Parsons, (OLB, Penn State)
12. Philadelphia: Jaycee Horn (CB, South Carolina)
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater (OT, Northwestern)
14. Minnesota Vikings: Gregory Rousseau (DE, Miami)
15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)
16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Darrisaw (OT, Virginia Tech)
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Kwity Paye (DE/LB, Michigan)
18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris (RB, Alabama)
19. Washington: Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech)
20. Chicago Bears: Kadarius Toney (WR, Florida)
21. Indianapolis Colts: Greg Newsome (CB, Northwestern)
22. Tennessee Titans: Jaelan Phillips (DE/LB, Miami)
23. New York Jets: Ronnie Perkins (DE/LB, Oklahoma)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Etienne (RB, Clemson)
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tylan Wallace (WR, Oklahoma State)
26. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Robinson (CB, Central Florida)
27: Baltimore Ravens: Creed Humphrey (C, Oklahoma)
28: New Orleans Saints: Trevon Moehrig (S, TCU)
29: Green Bay Packers: Asante Samuel (CB, Florida State)
30: Buffalo Bills: Alex Leatherwood (OT, Alabama)
31: Kansas City Chiefs: Zaven Collins (LB, Tulsa)
32: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Azeez Ojulari (DE, Georgia)
2. Battling Sewell: Oregon defensive tackle Austin Faoliu on going up against Penei Sewell in practice:
“Man, going against Penei in practice made me a much better player. Just the type of level that he plays at even in practice. He’s always doing the best he can, giving his full effort.”
3. Falcons on voting: Statement on behalf of Arthur M. Blank, Chairman and Owner, Blank Family of Businesses, on Georgia voting rights: “Every voice and every vote matters and should be heard through our democratic process in Georgia. The right to vote is simply sacred. We should be working to make voting easier, not harder for every eligible citizen. To that end, AMBSE leadership, along with our nonprofit partners, conveyed that ideal directly to state officials in recent weeks. Our businesses and family foundation will continue to actively support efforts that advance voting access for the citizens of Georgia and across the nation.”
4. Alabama quarterback Mac Jones on the quarterback class:
“This quarterback class is a really good class. I’m just blessed to be a part of it. Honestly, you can watch on tape and see that we all have great tape. What separates me is preparation and take what I’ve learned from the coaches’ meetings and my own meetings and apply it to the field.”
5. Falcons 2021 draft picks
First round: No. 4 overall
Second round: No. 35 (third pick of the round)
Third round: No. 68 (fourth pick of the round)
Fourth round: No. 108 (third pick of the round)
Fourth round: No. 148 (fourth pick of the round)
Fifth round: No. 179 (fourth pick of the round)
Fifth round: No. 182 (38th pick of the round. Compensatory pick)
Fifth round: No. 183 (39th pick of the round. Compensatory pick)
Sixth round: No. 187 (third pick of the round)
Sixth round: No. 218 (35th pick of the round. Compensatory pick)
Seventh round: No. 232 (fourth pick of the round) Tennessee has this pick from Falcons through Miami in Charles Harris deal.
6. Falcons to return to London. The Falcons were scheduled to play Denver in London last season, but that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their opponent this year will be non-NFC South foe. They narrows it down to Detroit, New England, the New York Jets, Philadelphia or the Washington Football Team. The game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium sometime in October.
The Falcons have played in London once, losing to Detroit 22-21 in 2014.
The league schedule is set to come out in May.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
7. Cheerleader tryouts. The Falcons will host a blended audition process to make the 2021 cheerleading squad.
Candidates will submit dance videos virtually during the preliminary and semifinal auditions. Final auditions will take place in person and socially distanced.
Leading up to the auditions, a variety of dance and audition prep classes will be offered to the candidates interested in learning about the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders dance techniques and style.
Virtual dance prep classes will be held April 13 and April 24. Audition prep classes will be held May 11 and June 5.
For more information register here. Follow @ATLCheerleaders on Twitter.
8. Free-agency tracker. The Falcons planned to go value shopping in free agency and have added seven players.
The Falcons have agreed to $11.31 million in contracts and paid out $2.5 million in signing bonuses.
Running back Mike Davis was the lone free agent to receive a two-year deal. The other players have signed one-year deals.
One of the stunners of free agency is that former Falcons safety Keanu Neal received only a one-year contract for $3 million from the Dallas Cowboys.
Here’s a look at the updated Falcons’ free-agency tracker.
CAP CASUALTIES
Ricardo Allen, FS: Released Feb. 18. Agreed to one-year deal with the Bengals.
Allen Bailey, DE: Released Feb. 18.
James Carpenter, OL: Released March 9.
SIGNINGS
--Erik Harris, S: Agreed to terms March 18. He signed a one year, $1.35 million deal and received a $300,000 signing bonus. A total of $600,000 is guaranteed.
--Brandon Copeland, LB: Agreed to terms March 18. He signed a one-year, $1.04 million deal and received a $50,000 signing bonus and $300,000 of his contract was guaranteed.
--Mike Davis, RB: Agreed to terms March 23. He signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal, which included a $1.5 million signing bonus. A total of $3 million of the deal is guaranteed.
--Barkevious Mingo, OLB: Agreed to terms March 23. He signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal. A total of $1.1 million in guaranteed including a $175,000 signing bonus.
--Fabian Moreau, CB: Signed a one-year, $1.27 million deal. He received a $137,500 signing bonus. A total of $987,500 of the deal is guaranteed.
--Josh Andrews, CB: Agreed to one-year contract with guaranteed money. Signed a one-year, $1.27 million deal. He received a $137,500 signing bonus.
--Jonathan Bullard, DT: Agreed to one-year deal. We’re waiting on the terms.
TRADES
Lee Smith, TE: Sent a seventh-round pick in 2022 to Buffalo.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Keanu Neal, SS: Did not receive the franchise tag. He signed a one-year fully guaranteed $3 million deal with the Cowboys.
Damontae Kazee, FS: He signed with the Cowboys.
Alex Mack, C: He signed a three-year, $14.85 million deal with the 49ers. A total of $5.6 million was guaranteed.
Darqueze Dennard, CB: Played on a one-year contract in 2020.
Todd Gurley, RB: Played on a one-year contract.
Charles Harris, DE: Signed a one-year $1.75 million fully guaranteed deal with the Detroit Lions.
Brian Hill, RB: Is a valuable special-teams player.
Justin McCray, OL: Signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the Texans and received a $500,000 signing bonus.
Steven Means, DE: He re-signed in free agency after played in all 16 games last season, with 11 starts. Finished with three sacks.
Sharrod Neasman, FS: Solid backup and special-teams player.
LaRoy Reynolds, LB: Speedy special-teamer.
Edmond Robinson, LB: Provided quality depth while playing in 13 games in 2020.
Luke Stocker, TE: Blocking tight end was replaced by Lee Smith.
Laquon Treadwell, WR: Played last season on a one-year contract. Made a couple of plays late in the season.
John Wetzel, OT: Has basically been veteran insurance at tackle.
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB: Has provided quality depth at cornerback spot. Played in 15 games last season and had three interceptions
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Matt Gono, OL: He signed his $3.384 tender.
Brandon Powell, WR: No tender was made. He signed with the Bills.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
Younghoe Koo, PK: Signed March 11.
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, DE: Signed March 11.
Tyler Hall, CB: Signed March 11.
Christian Blake, WR: Signed March 11.
Jaeden Graham, TE: Signed March 12.
9. Updated depth chart. Bullard and Means were added to the defensive line group.
Here’s the updated depth chart:
OFFENSE
WR 11 Julio Jones, 13 Christian Blake
LT 70 Jake Matthews
LG 73 Matt Gono, 66 Willie Wright
C 61 Matt Hennessy, 68 Josh Andrews
RG 63 Chris Lindstrom
RT 76 Kaleb McGary, 71 Willie Beavers
TE 81 Hayden Hurst, 85 Lee Smith, 87 Jaeden Graham
WR 83 Russell Gage, 16 Greg Dortch
WR 18 Calvin Ridley
QB 2 Matt Ryan
HB 28 Mike Davis, 25 Ito Smith, 30 Qadree Ollison, 26 Tony Brooks-James
FB 40 Keith Smith
DEFENSE
DE 55 Steven Means, 91 Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
DT 97 Grady Jarrett, 90 Marlon Davidson, 94 Deadrin Senat
DT 96 Tyeler Davison, 99 Jonathan Bullard, 50 John Cominsky, 79 Chris Slayton
DE 56 Dante Fowler
OLB 51 Brandon Copeland
LB 45 Deion Jones, 46 Edmond Robinson
LB 54 Foyesade Oluokun, 43 Mykal Walker
OLB 52 Barkevious Mingo
RCB 20 Kendall Sheffield, 22 Fabian Moreau, 29 Chris Williamson
LCB 24 A.J. Terrell, 44 Tyler Hall
NCB 26 Isaiah Oliver, 42 Delrick Abrams
FS 23 Erik Harris, 39 T.J. Green
SS 32 Jaylinn Hawkins
SPECIALISTS
K 7 Younghoe Koo, 1 Elliott Fry
P 4 Sterling Hofrichter, 9 Dom Maggio
LS 47 Josh Harris
KO 7 Younghoe Koo
KR 14 Chris Rowland
PR 14 Chris Rowland
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