Falcons second-year tight end Eric Saubert has caught the attention of the coaching staff with a strong training camp.
Saubert will get plenty action when the Falcons face the New York Jets in their exhibition opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“I’m certainly looking to see how Saub looks,” head coach Dan Quinn said after practice on Wednesday. “He had limited reps last year. He’s somebody who has our attention at tight end.”
Saubert, a fifth-round pick out of Drake in 2017, played 30 snaps on offense and 212 on special teams last season.
“He was guarded,” Quinn said. “He was so prideful (about) doing it right. He knew his assignment, but I don’t know if he fully trusted his training. He practiced hard. He studied hard. He went for it. Then this offseason, we are seeing that jump take place.”
Saubert played in 41 games and made 37 starts over his college career. He caught 190 passes for 2,253 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“We’re like man, you know your stuff,” Quinn said. “Let your natural athleticism jump out. He’s really kind of turning into the kind of pass-catching tight end that I’d hope we see. I’m anxious for him to get a chance to (show) that.”
The Falcons elected not to re-sign Levine Toilolo and signed veteran Logan Paulsen as the blocking tight end. Saubert would give them another pass-catching threat behind Austin Hooper.
“With that role, he also has to be active and have a role on special teams,” Quinn said. “He’s long. He’s fast. I now see the athlete.”
Quinn and the staff knew there’d be a transition from the FCS level to the NFL.
“It’s not that uncommon,” Quinn said. “He’s moved past that. Not only is he trusting his training, you see this big jump in athleticism. We are expecting to see him a good bit in the (exhibition) season. He needs game experiences and quarters of play.”
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