Special teams maven Justin Hardy will not re-sign with Falcons

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Justin Hardy #14 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Credit: Hannah Foslien

Credit: Hannah Foslien

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Justin Hardy #14 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Former Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy will not re-sign with the team and will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, his agent Christian Kranz told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday.

Hardy, who was drafted in the fourth round (107th overall) in the 2015 NFL draft out of East Carolina, was a dependable special teams player and an occasional red-zone target for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Hardy played in 73 games and made six starts for the Falcons. He caught 95 of his 144 targeted passes for 946 yards and nine touchdowns.

Here’s a look at where things stand with the Falcons’ potential unrestricted and restricted free agents:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS 

OFFENSE 

Kenjon Barner, running back
Matt Schaub, quarterback – Club picked up his option, according to his agent.
Justin Hardy, wide receiver - Not re-signing with team
Austin Hooper, tight end – Will be allowed to hit the market 
Matt Simms, quarterback 
Keith Smith, fullback – Was re-signed to a three-year deal on Saturday, March 14
Wes Schweitzer, offensive guard/center – Will be allowed to hit the market
Ty Sambrailo, tackle - Released by the team on March 16
Devonta Freeman - Cut by the team on March 16

DEFENSE

Vic Beasley, defensive end/linebacker – Will not be re-signed 
De'Vondre Campbell, linebacker – Will be allowed to hit the market 
Adrian Clayborn, defensive end 
Jack Crawford, defensive tackle
Johnathan Cyprien, safety
Tyeler Davison, defensive tackle - Agrees to three-year deal 
Ra'Shede Hageman, defensive tackle – Waived by the team on Jan. 13
Kemal Ishmael, safety/linebacker – Will not be re-signed by Falcons 
Steven Means, defensive end - Re-signed to a one-year contract on March 9.
Sharrod Neasman, safety 
Jamar Taylor, cornerback 
John Wetzel, offensive lineman – Vested veteran contract terminated and then re-signed
J.J. Wilcox, safety 
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, cornerback
Desmond Trufant - Releasd by the team

SPECIAL TEAMS 

Matt Bosher, punter 
Ryan Allen, punter – Signed to a one-year contract extension for $945,000 on Feb. 18
Sam Irwin-Hill, punter – Signed to a one-year contract worth $510,000

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS 

OFFENSE

Brian Hill, running back

DEFENSE

Michael Bennett, defensive tackle

SPECIAL TEAMS 

Younghoe Koo, placekicker – Signed a one-year contract extension for $660,000 on Feb. 18

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