Falcons Rookie Minicamp Starts Today
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Falcons will hold their rookie minicamp at Flowery Branch during the next three days. In addition to their seven selections from the 2015 NFL Draft, the minicamp will feature the 19 undrafted free agents the Falcons signed and 22 other players being extended a tryout by the team. In total there will be 48 rookies participating in this weekend’s minicamp.
Atlanta has done well in recent years with UDFA’s most notably LB Paul Worrilow and backup C James Stone. Even though Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and new HC Dan Quinn had one of the best drafts of any team this spring, expect Atlanta to still find value in the other 41 first-year players at the Falcons Rookie Minicamp.
It’s important to pay close attention to the draft picks’ performances this weekend, especially picks 1 through 4. Vic Beasley needs to impress at the LEO position as he was the eighth overall selection in this year’s draft. What’s imperative for Vic is to have a great student mentality during the minicamp as he must contribute right away in the Falcons pass rush in obvious passing situations. How he takes coaching at the professional level will go a long way in determining how soon Beasley can become a every-down pass rusher.
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DB Jalen Collins needs to defend the Falcons risky choice to select him in round two with his play in press coverage. I’m all for guys turning a new leaf and putting all their troubles behind them. But if Collins’ off-the-field issues continue and his play doesn’t merit the second round selection, I’ll be upset. Let’s hope that under Dan Quinn and Raheem Morris’ tutelage that Jalen can become a dominant force in the Falcons pass defense.
Tevin Coleman and Justin Hardy need to play well the moment they step out on the field. Both offensive weapons should contribute right away in Kyle Shanahan’s new offense. Coleman will share the backfield with Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith. Hardy looks to replace Harry Douglas in the slot. Both rookies have obvious talent but I’m eager to see how Tevin and Justin adapt to life in the National Football League.
Two UDFA’s to keep an eye on are DB’s Kevin White out of TCU and Terrell Floyd out of Louisville. Both rookies come from programs that have produced a lot of great secondary players in recent years. White is often compared to former teammate CB Jason Verrett of the San Diego Chargers, who was a first round pick last spring. Floyd was part of a very deep Louisville Cardinals team that set a record for number of players drafted this past weekend. I have to imagine playing alongside Thorpe Award Winner Gerod Holliman now with the Pittsburgh Steelers means that Floyd has great ball skills, too. The Falcons aren’t shy in continuing to bolster their defensive backfield as pass defense was the team’s Achilles Heel in 2014.