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

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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D. Orlando Ledbetter

D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq is the award-winning Atlanta Falcons beat writer for the newspaper, has been on the staff since 2003. Every day D. Orlando strives to provide inside in the Falcons and the NFL. He finds the most joy in providing insight into the team, the coaching moves, the offseason business moves, the draft and the games.