Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Monday:
1. Defensive back coach interview. Longtime NFL defensive back coach Joe Whitt Jr. has interviewed with the Falcons, according to a person with the team familiar with the situation.
The Falcons are not done interviewing candidates.
“Have a few more to go with the process,” the person said.
Whitt, who spent 10 years with the Packers (2008-18), was a member of the Falcons’ coaching staff in 2007. He was with the Browns during the 2019 season as the defensive backs coach and passing-game coordinator.
The Falcons released Jerome Henderson, who was the defensive passing-game coordinator, and Travis Jones, who was the assistant defensive line coach last week.
The team said Henderson and Jones are leaving "to pursue new career opportunities."
Whitt coached Pro Bowl defensive backs Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields with the Packers. He’s coached under Mike McCarthy, Dom Capers, Mike Pettine, Steve Wilks and Freddie Kitchens.
2. Draft order. The Falcon draft order improved with the Titans' win over the Patriots.
The Falcons traded wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who caught 26 of 47 targets for 207 yards and a touchdown for the Patriots, for a second-round pick and benefited from their loss to the Titans.
The draft pick could have as low as 64, but move up to as high as 54 for the Falcons. The official draft list will be posted after the Super Bowl.
3. Vikings love. The Vikings credited the Falcons with the blue print on how to beat the Saints in their wild card win Sunday.
The Falcons attacked the interior of the Saints' offensive line in their stunning 26-9 win on Nov. 10.
#Falcons showed #Vikings how to attack #Saints https://t.co/t9a0qlQ6v3
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) January 5, 2020
4. Free agency situation. The Falcons have 26 upcoming free agents. Tight end Austin Hooper and linebacker De'Vondre Campbell are at the top of the list.
5. All-Pro. Wide receiver Julio Jones and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett were named second-team All-Pro last week.
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