Tyler Starr, the Falcons’ seventh-round draft pick, was all smiles after the completion of rookie minicamp on Sunday.
On top of some fine work on the field, Starr, along with four other members of the draft class, signed contracts with the team.
Starr, linebacker Prince Shembo, cornerback Ricardo Allen, linebacker Marquis Spruill and linebacker Yawin Smallwood all reach deals with the team Sunday. The terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
Following a league trend of trying to wrap up rookie signings quickly, the team is also close to reaching deals with first-round tackle Jake Matthews, second-round defensive end Ra’Shede Hageman, third-round safety Dezmen Southward and fourth-round running back Devonta Freeman.
Starr, the team’s final pick and 255th player taken out of South Dakota, shined while playing left defensive end and left outside linebacker during the minicamp. He showed quickness to rush around the end and did not look awkward dropping in pass coverage.
“Those are the type of guys that we are trying to add to our defense,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
Starr was the Missouri Valley Conference’s defensive player of the year after leading the league in sacks (nine) and tackles for losses (15). He also forced four fumbles for the Coyotes.
Over three seasons at South Dakota, Starr had 196 tackles, including a school-record 27 sacks and 13 forced fumbles.
Starr, 23, has long blonde hair that flows out of his helmet. He did not back down when tangling with tight end Brian Wozniak. The two exchanged words, but the confrontation did not escalate into a scuffle.
“He has the look of a very free-spirited guy, but that’s not necessarily what he is,” Smith said. “He’s much (more) focused and I like his work ethic.”
As a late-round pick, Starr isn’t taking much for granted.
“It’s a new place, a new league,” Starr said. “The first thing was to come out here and learn that playbook as fast as possible so that I could play fast. That’s very important because mental errors aren’t allowed. I’m trying to learn the spot. Mentally, you should be 100 percent.”
At 6 feet 4 and 250 pounds, Starr had his stance tweaked by the Falcons in order to get a faster takeoff when playing defensive end.
“In college, I worked out of a three-point stance,” Starr said. “That wasn’t working for me here and I was working it and working it. One day I just got in a four-point stance and it gave me more weight on the back of my hips.”
The switch allowed him to to stay lower, which helped to keep his hands in an attack position.
“It was something that was working for me and coach thought so as well,” Starr said. “It’s something that I’m trying to get better with.”
Over the offseason, the Falcons have added players to better fit their scheme when they play the 3-4 alignment and Starr, a rangy player, fits that 3-4 outside linebacker profile.
He arrived Monday and participated in the team’s offseason program for four days before rookie camp started. The highlight, he said, was meeting Falcons owner Arthur Blank.
“I got to talk him about his ranch in Montana,” Starr said. “That’s kind of my neck of the woods.”
Starr knows a roster spot is hardly guaranteed for a seventh-round pick.
“The most important part is that I got a chance to show this team what I can do,” Starr said. “I’m going to hopefully bust my butt so that I can make this team. At the end of the day, I want to be playing football for as long as I possibly can.”
His introduction to his possible new role felt like a good fit.
“I’m really enjoying the scheme that we are playing and the different things that they have us doing,” Starr said. “It’s similar to what I did in college. I have a long ways to go, but I’m happy to be here and I at least have a job, for now. I have to keep working.”
He also noted the difference between South Dakota and the NFL.
“Everybody is bending over backwards to help you here,” Starr said. “Especially, the ladies who make the shakes for us in the morning and at night. Those shakes are so good.”
About the Author
