Report: Alabama DT Da’Ron Payne visiting Falcons
Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne is visiting the Falcons on Thursday, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapport.
Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the combine that he met with the Falcons, too.
The Falcons must replace defensive tackle Dontari Poe, who signed with Carolina during free agency. That position is the major hole on the roster after free agency.
Vea and Payne are not projected to be available when the Falcons are slated to pick with the 26th pick of the draft, which is set to be held April 26-28 in Arlington, Texas.
However, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has traded up in the first round in four of his 10 drafts.
In 2008, he moved up into the first round to draft left tackle Sam Baker.
In 2011, he did a 5-for-1 trade with Cleveland to move up 21 spots to get wide receiver Julio Jones.
He also traded up in the first round to land cornerback Desmond Trufant in 2013 and last season to get defensive end Takkarist McKinley.
Payne, is 6-foot-3 and 311 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds at the combine. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
