FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons elected to sit out the NFL's supplemental draft on Monday, choosing no one.
“Our focus is on next year’s draft in our college football department, not on drafting right now,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We felt like we accomplished what we needed to accomplish in the offseason.”
Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was selected with the 18th pick of the third round by the Oakland Raiders; he was the only eligible player drafted.
Former University of Georgia running back Caleb King was not selected, but he signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, according to his Atlanta-based agent Kevin Conner.
King worked out in Athens for 10 teams and a couple of national scouts, who represented several teams, on Aug. 15. He prepared for the workouts and interviews with former Falcons general manager Ken Herock, through his company Pro Prep.
“Running back is such a volatile position for them to project,” Conner said. “You can find good ones, early, in the middle and late [rounds].”
Conner noted the success of Arian Foster, the undrafted Tennessee back who led the league in rushing last year, and former UGA running back Terrell Davis, who was selected in the sixth round of the 1995 draft.
Pryor applied to the draft after being declared ineligible by Ohio State. He was found to have made decisions that undermined the integrity of the eligibility rules for the NFL draft and must serve a five-game suspension.
King, who played at Parkview and Greater Atlanta Christian high schools, was declared academically ineligible by Georgia and applied for the supplemental draft.
King took over as a starter in 2009 and had his most productive season with 594 yards and seven touchdowns. Over his college career, he had 1,271 yards rushing, 126 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.
In addition to Pryor and King, four other players were eligible for the draft: Western Carolina defensive back Torez Jones, Lindenwood defensive end Keenan Mace, North Carolina defensive end Mike McAdoo and Northern Illinois defensive back Tracy Wilson.
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