FLOWERY BRANCH — A look at the teams on the Falcons' schedule and how they have reconstructed their roster since the season's end:
GAME TWO: GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers at Falcons, Sept. 17, 8:30 p.m. on Sunday Night Football
No longer with the Packers: Guard T.J. Lang, tight end Jared Cook, safety Micah Hyde, running back Eddie Lacy, defensive end Datone Jones and linebacker Julius Peppers.
Key free agent signings: Cornerback Davon House, guard Jahri Evans, tight end Martellus Bennett, tight end Lance Kendricks and defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois.
The Draftees:
- Round 2, Pick 1 (33)King, Kevin, CB, Washington
- Round 2, Pick 29 (61)Jones, Josh, S, NC. State,
- Round 3, Pick 29 (93)Adams, Montravius, DT, Auburn
- Round 4, Pick 1 (108)Biegel, Vince, LB, Wisconsin
- Round 4, Pick 28 (134)Williams, Jamaal, RB, BYU
- Round 5, Pick 32 (175)Yancey, DeAngelo, WR
- Round 5, Pick 39 (182)Jones, Aaron, RB, Texas El-Paso
- Round 6, Pick 29 (212)Amichia, Kofi, G, South Florida
- Round 7, Pick 20 (238)Mays, Devante, RB, Utah State
- Round 7, Pick 29 (247)Dupre, Malachi, WR, LSU
Weaknesses: The Packers need to improve the talent at cornerback position and add some fire to the linebacker corps. The offfensive line is being revamped also.
Strengths: The great Aaron Rodgers directs the offense. Converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery has been a find at running back.
Comment: The Packers prefer to draft and develop their own players, but this offseason they did spend some cash in free agency. With Rodgers at the controls, the Packers will always be dangerous. The Falcons plastered the Packers 44-21 in the NFC championship game on Jan. 22 at the Georgia Dome.
FALCONS SCHEDULE
Exhibition season
Falcons at Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m. Aug. 10
Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers at 4 p.m. Aug. 20
Arizona Cardinals at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 26
Jacksonville Jaguars at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 31
Regular season
Sept. 17 Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Sept. 24 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. Fox
Oct. 1 Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 8 BYE
Oct. 15 Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 22 at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m., NBC
Oct. 29 at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 5 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 12 Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Nov. 20 at Seattle Seahawks (Mon) 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 3 Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 7 New Orleans Saints (Thur), 8:25 p.m., NBC/NFL Network/Amazon
Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mon). 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 24 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 31 Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
THE FALCONS 2017 DRAFT
MUST READ PROFILE: Falcons top pick McKinley makes name for himself
2017 Falcons report card: Falcons earn a B-plus
NFC Champs add a pass rusher, quality depth
1st rounder: Meet defensive end Takkarist McKinley
3rd rounder: Meet linebacker Duke Riley
4th rounder: Meet offensive guard Sean Harlow
5th rounder: Meet defensive back Damontae Kazee
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