The Falcons received three compensatory draft picks this year, including a fourth-round pick (139th overall) and a pair of seventh-round selections (253, 255). Last season, Atlanta received four compensatory picks after seeing guys like Brent Grimes and Tyson Clabo depart during free-agency. The Falcons’ selected tight end Levine Toilolo with their 2013 fourth-round compensatory selection. The towering 6-foot-8 tight end proved to be a solid pickup as he hauled in 11 receptions for 55 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his rookie season while shadowing Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Only Gonzalez (eight), Roddy White (three) and Jason Snelling (three) scored more receiving touchdowns than the rookie Toilolo last season.
Wednesday morning head coach Mike Smith addressed the foot injury that sidelined Julio Jones for the final 11 games of last season with good news. Smith revealed that the Pro Bowl receiver was ahead of schedule and running again. Jones underwent his procedure last October to replace a screw in the middle/outside area of his foot (the fifth metatarsal). A foot surgery is a difficult recovery, but if Jones can stay healthy next year he could be the favorite for NFL comeback player of the year (Phillip Rivers won the award in 2013).
MAKING MOVES …
Atlanta has been aggressive this offseason and rebuilt the offensive and defensive lines with the re-signing of Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Joe Hawley and the additions of free agents Jon Asamoah, Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson. If the aggressive-nature of the free agency period is any indicator of the rest of the offseason, it will not be a surprise to see the franchise making moves on draft day (May 8). According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, league sources have confirmed that Atlanta is admittedly open to dealing a trade to move up in the draft.
Last Friday, the Falcons released 2012 fifth-round pick Bradie Ewing. The former Wisconsin fullback was injured his entire rookie season with the Falcons and was sidelined for the 2013 season in Week 2 after injuring his shoulder on a 15-yard reception. Ewing was picked up by Jacksonville shortly after his departure. According to NFLNation, Ewing had two years left on his contract, with cap figures of $616,048 in 2014 and $706,048 in 2015 and his base salary was $570,000 for ‘14 and $660,000 in ‘15. Undrafted rookie Patrick DiMarco proved to be a reliable re-placement last season and will likely get the nod for the job this offseason
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