The Falcons are winding down in free agency this week and can start pointing squarely to the NFL draft, which is set for April 25-27 in Nashville.
There are a few loose ends to tie together and we need to find out what’s going on with Bruce Irvin, whom the team would like to retain.
Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Monday:
1. Outside zone? Falcons coach Dan Quinn wasn't made available to the media to discuss the new additions to the offensive line just yet. A quickie conference call would have worked. James Carpenter (6-5, 321) and Jamon Brown (6-4, 340) are much bigger than Chris Chester (6-3, 300) and Andy Levitre (6-2, 303), the two guards who started Super Bowl LI. Carpenter struggled in the outside zone scheme in Seattle early in his career. Quinn did talk to the team's website and mentioned the outside zone. He's also added the inside zone in talks after the season, but at least with Brown and two blocking tight ends they may be able to run some power in short yardage situations.
2. UGA Pro Day: The Falcons will have a strong contingent in Athens for Georgia's Pro Day on Wednesday. Several Bulldogs, including cornerback Deandre Baker, running back Elijah Holyfield and tight end Isaac Nauta, need to improve their combine times.
3. Schrader update: Former Falcons tackle Ryan Schraeder is drawing some interest from the Vikings and Texans, according to multiple reports.
4. Free Agency Tracker: After the first phase of free agency, former Falcons kicker Matt Bryant, Schraeder, Irvin, and left guard Andy Levitre remain unsigned. In all, the Falcons have signed four new players and six of their former players.
5. Clemson watch: While the Falcons have a sketchy history when it comes to drafting Georgia Bulldogs, they don't seem to have any problems with Clemson players. The Falcons didn't like Shaq Lawson when he was coming of out Clemson, but they did snap up Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley. They have interviewed Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant.
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