Falcons defensive line coach Bryant Young is overseeing the remaking of the defensive line.
It has been clear at minicamp, even without first-round pick Takkarist McKinley, that Young has several options at defensive end.
Among them, Jack Crawford, who was signed as a free agent from Dallas, has made a good first impression.
“Jack is a relentless in his pursuit,” Young told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s a very hard, tough and competitive individual. I just really love that about him. He loves to come out here (and practice). … He’s been doing a really good job of getting involved, growing with our group.”
Also, the Falcons welcomed back defensive end/tackle Derrick Shelby from his Achilles surgery that shortened his 2016 season. He return to parts of practice for minicamp.
“I think the progress for him has been good,” Young said. “He’s been able to get in to some of our individual stuff and group work as well. His progress has been really good. I really look forward to him being back with us fully, but I’m excited that he’s back with us even for just these several periods.”
Shelby tore his right Achilles against Seattle on Oct. 16 and later was placed on injure reserve.
With Shelby and Crawford among the defensive ends, the Falcons will have some depth when you count Vic Beasley, Adrian Clayborn, Brooks Reed and McKinley. Also, Ra’Shede Hageman and Courtney Upshaw played some end last season, too.
“We have some guys that can play,” Young said. “We must continue to get better and understand that from an expectation standpoint what they are capable of, then our expectations and working to meet those things, just really to our standard and growing it.”
