Jackson, Matthews are promising seventh-round picks

“Our drive is to make sure that we get a guy who we believe can come in here and compete for a back-end roster spot at the outset and develop into a legitimate contributor to our football team,” Dimitroff said. “It’s not just about having camp bodies.”

In 2008, the Falcons’ seventh-rounders were cornerback Wilrey Fontenot and tight end Keith Zinger. Both are no longer with the club.

In 2009, they hit on defensive tackle Vance Walker, a former Georgia Tech standout who has been a solid contributor.

In 2010, they didn’t have a seventh-round pick. Shann Schillinger, the sixth-round pick, made the team and contributed on special teams.

This year’s seventh-rounders, offensive lineman Andrew Jackson and defensive end Cliff Matthews, look like keepers.

Jackson was highly touted after his junior season, but his senior season at Fresno State was marred by injury. He was taken with the 210th pick overall.

Matthews played at South Carolina and was selected 20 picks after Jackson.

“It’s definitely still needs-based at that time,” Dimitroff said. “They both have upside. We look for [Matthews] to contribute in this league, and it’s the same with Andrew Jackson.”

Jackson is practicing at both left guard and right tackle. He played at both against the Dolphins in the exhibition opener.

“The most difficult thing has probably been the playbook,” Jackson said. “There is a lot to learn and a short time to learn it, but it’s coming along.”

That Jackson was even functional against the Dolphins was remarkable because during the lockout there were no organized team activities or a rookie minicamp.

Also, Jackson had practiced only against the Falcons’ 4-3 defensive front. The Dolphins play a 3-4, and the blocking assignments are much different.

“We definitely didn’t get a lot of practice against it,” Jackson said. “We had it in our playbooks. We were able to study it. The expectations are to go out there and execute against it.”

So, he went for it. In watching video, you can see Jackson scrambling about, trying to put his pads on the right player.

“There are certain technique issues that I’ve got to iron out,” Jackson said. “I need to get a better understanding of the assignments. I need to be 100 percent on assignments.”

At Fresno State, Jackson blocked for running back Ryan Mathews, who led the nation in rushing in 2009. Jackson was considered a potential third- or fourth-round pick before he suffered a high ankle sprain and missed most of his senior season.

Jackson expected to not get drafted. “It was pretty unexpected,” Jackson said. “I knew there was a chance. I knew it was reduced because of the injury. I was just fighting for anything I could get.”

While Jackson, who is 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, appears pretty mean, he must bulk up to join the Falcons’ 300-pound club. But first, he just wants to make the team.

“You [must] have a chip on your shoulder to earn a job,” Jackson said. “I sure do. That’s what I’m here to do. I know there is a big roster cut down and I want to be on the final roster.”

Matthews is listed at 6-4, 268, but appears taller and bigger. In one-on-one pass rushing drills, he moves well moving up field.

After posting 15.5 sacks over four years, Matthews wasn’t sure about his future. “I didn’t think I was going to get drafted at all,” Matthews said. “It was a dream come true.”

Dimitroff has taken note of their work.

“They are very focused individuals who have a real drive to succeed in this league,” Dimitroff said. “When we drafted them and talked to them on the phone, you could just tell that their attitude was that they were going to do everything in their power to make the football team.”