Atlanta Falcons to host South Carolina star Jadeveon Clowney for private workout
By Brad Rowland
Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) rushes the passer against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
In the last 48 hours, there have been reports swirling that the Atlanta Falcons were hosting both Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack for private workouts, but now, the biggest headliner in the 2014 NFL Draft has surfaced, as South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney reportedly has a private workout on the books in the near future.
Jadeveon Clowney says #Falcons contacted him to setup a workout. Also Rams will be his first work out, from Cunningham who's in Columbia.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) April 2, 2014
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (among multiple other sources) is reporting that Clowney will be in Flowery Branch very soon to hold a private workout, and while we may never know the specifics, this isn’t a surprise at all. In fact, it was basically a foregone conclusion from the time that the Falcons secured a top-10 pick, and when you factor in Thomas Dimitroff’s propensity for trading up, Clowney is firmly in the mix.
By now, you all know the story about Clowney, as he has been the #1 player in this draft class (or any draft class) since he was a senior in high school, and despite some character and motor concerns (I’m not concerned, for the record), he is still considered to be a lock for the top-5 and the best player available. Frankly, it is probably a pipe dream for Falcons fans to believe that Clowney could fall all the way to the #6 pick currently held by the team, but there are scenarios (far-fetched ones, though) where the quarterbacks and offensive lineman could land in the top-5, freeing things up for the free-fall.
Either way, all eyes were on Jadeveon Clowney’s pro day on Wednesday, and amid reports that he dominated (not a surprise), the heat will be turned up on coverage of his progress until draft day in May. The Falcons could go in any of about five different directions here, but if we’re honest with ourselves, the one with the highest upside (by far) is bringing Jadeveon Clowney to town.