It’s the final day of the 2017 NFL Draft and the Falcons’ braintrust is hunkered down here at the team facilities. The Falcons currently hold the 136th pick in the fourth round of the draft. They also have three picks in the fifth round — 149th, 156th and 174th.
The Falcons traded up to select UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley with the 26th overall pick on Thursday. They traded out of the second round on Friday and picked up a third-rounder and two fifth-rounders from Buffalo. In the third round, the Falcons selected LSU linebacker Duke Riley with the 75th overall pick.
We’ll be posting updates here throughout the day and evening on the final day of the draft from Philadelphia. Please check back often.
715 p.m.
And … a couple more. Former Mays High wideout DeAngelo Yancey, who played collegiately at Purdue, was selected in the fifth round by the Colts, at No. 175, and former Clarke Central fullback Marquez Williams, who played more recently at Miami, was tabbed in the seventh round by the Jaguars at No. 240.
7:05 p.m.
A little housekeeping … Georgia Southern linebacker Eligwe Ukeme (6-2, 239) , who prepped at Stone Mountain High, was selected in the fifth round by the Chiefs at No. 183. He played previously at Florida State, where he appeared in 13 games in 2013 as the Seminoles drove to the national title… . Shortly before Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly closed shop as the final pick, the Seahawks used the 249th to tab former Parkview High running back Christopher Carson of Oklahoma State… . In the fourth round, Albany State defensive tackle Grover Stewart (6-5, 295) was selected by the Colts with pick No. 144. He played at Mitchell County High School.
6:48 p.m.
It’s a wrap, at least in Philadelphia. The NFL draft ended with the Broncos picked Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly (6-2, 224). Looks like Denver is going to throw another name in the QB hat. In Kelly, the Broncos add a really talented player who has been plagued by poor decisions off the field.
6:23 p.m.
Georgians are flooding the seventh round. Former Creekside High cornerback Joshua Holsey, who played for Auburn, went to the Redskins at No. 235. Sorry if these get out of order. Research is slowed by hamster fatigue as they’ve been over-worked on the power wheel.
6:01 p.m.
Kicker Harrison Butker, the all-time leading scorer in Georgia Tech history, went to the Panthers with the 233rd pick, in the seventh round. The Westminster School graduate left The Flats as a four-year starter. With a strong leg, he routinely sends kickoffs into the end zone. Most noted for kicking a 53-yard field goal as time expired to force over time in 2014 at Georgia before the Yellow Jackets won.
5:52
Former University of Georgia safety Josh Harvey-Clemons, who transferred to Louisville in 2014 after being dismissed by UGA after two seasons, went to Washington with the 230th pick, in the seventh round. The Lowndes County High School graduate played in all 14 games as a freshman for the Bulldogs, and started 11 as a sophomore in ‘13. He was suspended for the season opener, however, for marijuana use and then was suspended for four more games — beginning with the Gator Bowl — after a second positive drug test. He was dismissed in Feb. 14, and followed departed defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to Louisville. Has played linebacker in some defensive alignments.
5:50 p.m.
Don’t want to fail to mention that former Savannah Christian Prep star Jalen Myrick, a cornerback for the University of Minnesota, was selected 222nd by the Jaguars. At 5-10, 200, Myrick is most noted for his blazing speed. His time of 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash was second fastest at this year’s Combine, trailing only the record-setting 4.22 clip of Washington wide receiver John Ross.
5:42 p.m.
Notre Dame defensive tackle Issac Rochell (6-4, 280), who prepped at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough and helped the team win a private Class A state title in 2012, was chosen by the Chargers with pick No. 225, in the seventh round. He was a captain for the Fighting Irish as a senior.
5:23 p.m.
Former Dacula High standout Corey Levin (6-4, 307) , a tackle from Tennessee Chattanooga, was picked by the Titans at No. 207, in the seventh round. Levin earned FCS All-America honors three times for the Mocs, including a first-team honor as a fifth-year senior.
5:00 p.m.
Georgia State wide receiver Robert Davis (6-3, 219) was drafted by the Redskins at No. 209, in the sixth round. From Warner Robins, Ga., the cousin of Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, he was quite productive for the Panthers with 222 career receptions. He wouldn’t be the first Georgia State wide receiver to make it to the NFL from the young program in Atlanta. Former Panther Albert Wilson just finished his third season with the Chiefs, catching 31 passes. Also on Kansas City’s roster: Defensive tackle T.J. Barnes (Georgia Tech), cornerback DJ. White (Georgia Tech), wide receiver Chris Conley (Georgia) and outside linebacker Justin Houston (Georgia).
4:45 p.m.
Arkansas defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter (6-3, 280), cousin of Journal-Constitution Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter and the son of former Oklahoma running back Weldon Ledbetter, was chosen by the Lions with the 205th pick, in the sixth round. A former junior College All-America selection, he had 5.5 sacks as a senior for the Razorbacks. Ledbetter also played at Gainesville High School, where he was a teammate of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.
4:15 p.m.
A second West Georgia player, fullback Alex Armah (6-2, 253), went to the Panthers with the 192nd pick, in the sixth round. Armah went to the Wolves from Dacula High as a linebacker, became an all-conference player at defensive end, and then an all-conference tight end. Carolina is projecting the thumper as a fullback.
4:09 p.m.
Regarding the addition of tight end Eric Saubert to a team with tight ends Austin Hooper (second year), Levine Toilolo, Joshua Perkins, D.J. Tialavea and others (but lost free agent Jacob Tamme), the Falcons’ brass views him more as an H receiver than a traditional tight end. “We thought that he could split out a bunch,” Quinn said of the 6-foot-5, 247-pound Saubert, who played at Drake. Dimitroff said, “He’s a move tight end. He can run. He can jump. He definitely has a finesse ability to him. We have a nice stall of tight ends, and he’ll be right in that mix, competing.”
4:00 p.m.
The Falcons added a big back when they selected Hill out of Wyoming, and while Dimitroff and Quinn did not say anything about him perhaps replacing departed fullback Patrick DiMarco (who signed as a free agent with the Bills), the possibility of him being asked to do some DiMarco-like duty is there. “Third down, is that a player who can step in and do some of the protection work that last we asked our fullback to do?” Quinn said of the 6-1, 221-pounder. On an earlier teleconference with reporters, Hill said that, “Atlanta got the best running back in the draft,” and that he runs, “violently.’ Quinn and Dimitroff concurred. “That’s an accurate term,” the head coach said. “This is a hard-charging guy,” the GM added.
3:50 p.m.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff are visiting with media for the first time after wrapping up their picks in the NFL draft. Dimitroff said that fourth-rounder Sean Harlow, a tackle at Oregon State, “has great bloodlines (his father, Pat, played tackle for eight seasons in the NFL in the 1990s), very smart. He will play inside for us, and has the versatility to be guard-center.” Quinn said, “he’s a versatile guy. We’re going to see if he can play guard and snap it, too.”
3:44 p.m.
West Georgia defensive end Dylan Donahue (6-3, 248) went to the Jets with the 181st pick, in the fifth round. His father, Mitch played with the 49ers and Broncos from 1991-‘94. He’ll be a 25-year-old rookie. After growing up in Montana, he played redshirted at NAIA Montana Western in 2011, did not play football in ‘12, played two seasons at Palomar College (Calif.) at the junior college level, and then transferred to West Georgia in ‘15. Short, he plays with immense energy and was Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year last fall after registering 67 tackles, 20 for lost yardage, and 13.5 sacks and a blocked kick. Few projected him to be drafted, though he was considered by draft experts a lock to land a post-draft contract as a free agent.
3:28 p.m.
Drake tight end Eric Saubert joined the Falcons after Atlanta used the 174th pick to select the 6-foot-5, 253-pound junior. With an 80-inch wingspan and soft hands, he topped a solid regular season (56 receptions, 776 yards, 10 touchdowns) by playing well in a pair of all-star games, the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl.
3:16 p.m.
University of Georgia wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie landed with the Denver Broncos upon the 172nd pick, in the fifth round. While he’s 5-7 1/2, 173, McKenzie has outstanding speed and quickness, and could be a factor in the return game for Denver. He caught 44 passes for 633 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a third-year sophomore. He returned five punts for touchdowns in two seasons playing for the Bulldogs, and a kickoff.
3:04 p.m.
Well-traveled defensive end/outside linebacker Avery Moss landed in the Big Apple not so straight out of Compton, Calif., or just outside New York , when the Giants picked him out of Youngstown State at No. 167, in the sixth round. Moss began his college career at Nebraska, playing for former Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pellini. He followed Pellini to YSU after being banned from campus in Lincoln, Neb., between the end of the 2013 regular season and the Gator Bowl against Georgia. His trouble came from his conviction for public indecency after he exposed himself twice in 2012. After redshirting in ‘14, he played in 10 games for YSU, recording one sack. He was suspended for one game for violation of team rules. Last fall, he took off, banking 59 tackles, 17 1/2 for losses, and 11 sacks with four fumbles forced and three passes defelected. At 6-3 3/8, 264, he’s well sized, yet his 14 bench presses of 225 pounds at the Combine were fewest among all defensive ends. Born in Compton, Calif., Moss moved to Arizona in sixth grade and did not begin playing football until he was a junior in high school, as he was an accomplished basketball player.
2:33 p.m.
The Falcons again went nasty when they used the 156th pick to tab Wyoming junior running back Brian Hill in the fifth round. Hill has good size (6-1, 219) and brings an especially physical running style after rushing for 4,287 yards and 35 touchdowns in just three seasons. He set a school-record as a sophomore with 1,681 yards with a 5.8-yard carry average. Hill bettered that last fall, rushing for 1,860 yards and 22 touchdowns despite missing the Cowboys’ bowl game because of a curfew violation. Doesn’t have much experience as a receiver, or in pass protection. He’s aware that the Falcons are in good shape presently with Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman and third-year pro Tevin Coleman, and looks forward to learning from them and competing. “I’m going to go in and soak everything up,” said Hill, who told the Falcons that they got the “best running back in the draft.” This pick was also obtained by Atlanta from the Bills.
2:13 p.m.
The Falcons went back to the defensive side of the ball when they used the 149th pick, or the fifth choice of the fifth round, to select San Diego State cornerback Damontae Kazee (5-10, 186). Wildly productive in his last two seasons for the Aztecs, when he was a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, he had eight interceptions in 2015 and seven more in ‘16. With modest straight-line speed, he’s more quick than fast, and is noted for ball skills, instincts and football IQ. Projects as a nickel back, although might also be a candidate at free safety. The Falcons gained this pick Friday, when they traded their second-rounder to Buffalo for the Bills’ third-round pick and two fifth-rounders.
1:51 p.m.
Another Georgian went off the boards when Loganville High School graduate Wayne Gallman of Clemson was chosen by the Giants at No. 140. The fourth-year junior was projected to go as high as the second round, but slipped in part because his skills as a receiver are perceived to be deficient. Gallman (6-0, 202) sure was productive for the Tigers over the past two seasons, though, rushing for a combined 2,660 yards and 30 touchdowns as Clemson went to consecutive National Championship Games against Alabama, most recently beating the Crimson Tide with one second left.
1:41 p.m.
The Falcons finally addressed their guard position when they chose Oregon State offensive lineman Sean Harlow (6-4 1/8, 304 pounds) with the 136th pick, in the fourth round. Harlow played mostly tackle for the Beavers, but team officials suggest deploying him at guard. “I’ve worked there, but in college mostly ended up outside,” he said. Harlow, who was in the process of redshirting as a freshman in 2013, but ended up starting the final nine games at right tackle. He’s good NFL bloodlines, as his father, Pat, was the 11th overall pick of the 1991 draft. He played eight years professionally with the Patriots and Raiders. While he tied for the shortest arms among offensive linemen at the NFL Combine, which explains at least partially why Falcons officials seem less likely to use him at tackle, but scouts and coaches love the mean streak with which he plays. Projected by some to be drafted considerably later, he may have potential as a center as well. He said he practiced there in college, too.
1:35 p.m.
Metro Atlanta’s Joshua Dobbs, former Tennessee quarterback, went to the Steelers with the 135th pick. Dobbs, who’s exceptionally bright (aerospace engineering major) and athletic, rushed for a Tennessee career-record 2,2,160 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Alpharetta High School graduate is one of just four SEC quarterbacks to accumulate 50 career passing touchdowns and 25 career rushing scores (Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel, Dak Prescott). Has good size (6-3, 3/8, 216), but had 30 career fumbles.
1:29 p.m.
Cowboys fans might not know much about North Carolina wide receiver Ryan Switzer, whom Dallas used the 133rd pick to select. Switzer was crazy productive for the Tar Heels despite his size (5-8 1/2, 181), as he set a UNC single-season record with 96 receptions for 1,116 yards and six scores. He’s also a fabulous punt return man, returning five for touchdowns as a freshman. Excellent off the line against press coverage, he has average hands and fumbled 12 times in four college seasons. Tar Heels’ career record holder in receptions (244) and receiving yards (2,907).
1:27 p.m.
The Eagles went after a potential replacement for shifty running back Darren Sproles when they drafted former San Diego State standout Donnel Pumphrey at No. 132. Pumphrey holds the NCAA FBS-level career rushing record with 6,405 yards. He’s 5-8, 176 pounds — not even as big as Sproles.
1:21 p.m.
There was a futuristic approach when the Texans selected Bucknell tackle Julie’n Davenport (6-7, 318) with the 130th pick. The selection was announced by retired astronaut Scott Kelly, from NASA headquarters in Houston. Kelly announced the pick thusly, “Houston, we have a pick … “
1:17 p.m.
The Raiders already have one of the NFL’s top offensive lines, but that didn’t dissuade them from using the 129th pick to tab massive tackle David Sharpe (6-6, 342) from the University of Florida. Sharpe has long arms, and were he more consistent with his punch, he likely would have been drafted earlier.
1:14 p.m.
The Bengals added a big wide receiver with the 128th pick, in the fourth round, when they tabbled former Tennessee wideout Josh Malone (6-3, 208 pounds). Malone struggled at times to beat press coverage, particularly last season against Georgia and Alabama, but in catching 50 passes for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, he flashed excellent speed. His average reception of 19.4 yards is a school record. (Thanks to D. Orlando Ledbetter jump-starting this ticker; I’ll try to guide it home while keeping tabs on the Falcons’ eventual fourth-round pick in a while. MW)
12:55
49ers (From Colts) Williams, Joe RB 5’11” 210 Utah
12:45
Congrats to Carl Lawson from Milton High. The Bengals like productive SEC players. Lawson, 6-2, 261, DE, Auburn (first-second): He’s from Alpharetta, and finished his career among the Tigers’ career sack leaders with 14.0 in 33 games. Lawson is the son of former Georgia Tech fullback Carl Lawson Sr., who played on the school’s 1990 national championship team. He lifted 225 pounds 35 times at the Combine, which ranked tied for first with Utah’s Isaac Asiata. He was also a top performer in the vertical jump at 33 inches. When healthy last season, Lawson had nine sacks and flashed the talent that made him the No. 2-rated defensive end in the nation coming out of high school by PrepStar.
12:42 p.m.
9(116) Bengals Lawson, Carl OLB 6’2” 261 Auburn
12:39 p.m.
10(117) Rams (From Bears through Bills) Reynolds, Josh WR 6’3” 194 Texas A&M
12:36 p.m.
Cardinals (From Panthers) Johnson, Dorian OG 6’5” 300 Pittsburgh
12:33 p.m.
Redskins (From Jets) Perine, Samaje RB 5’11” 233 Oklahoma
12:29 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers select Rayshawn Jenkins from Miami. Mayock calls him “a straight line tough guy.”
12:28 p.m.
Bears selected safety Eddie Jackson from Alabama.
12:24 p.m.
Seahawks (From 49ers through Bears) with the 111th pick select Colorado safety Tedric Thompson.
12:19 p.m.
Jaquars select Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook. “He’s a run after the catch guy,” Mayock said on NFL Network. Noted that he has second round talent, but had off-field concerns push him down.
12:15 p.m.
Vikings select Iowa DT Jaleel Johnson.
12:13 p.m.
The Packers select Wisconsin linebacker Vince Biegel.
12:05 p.m.
Things are about to get started. The Packers are on the clock.
About 11:40 a.m.
Falcons president Rich McKay arrives at the facility. Most of the assistant coaches are here today to help with recruiting undrafted players at the end of the day.
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