Falcons place second-round tender on Gabriel

FEBRUARY 5, 2017 HOUSTON TX Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) gets an interference call to continue the Falcons drive in the 3rd Quarter as the Atlanta Falcons meet the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, Sunday, February 5, 2017. Bob Andres/AJC

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

FEBRUARY 5, 2017 HOUSTON TX Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) gets an interference call to continue the Falcons drive in the 3rd Quarter as the Atlanta Falcons meet the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, Sunday, February 5, 2017. Bob Andres/AJC

Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel is in line to receive a hefty raise after the team place a second-round tender worth $2.81 million on the potential restricted free agent, his agent Brian Mackler confirmed Friday.

Gabriel, who was claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, was paid $510,000 last season.

He added a spark to the offense with his speed and toughness. As the third receiver behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, Gabriel finished with 35 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns.

Gabriel average 19 yards per catch, on nine catches, in the playoffs.

Offensive guard/defensive tackle Ben Garland also is a restricted free agent and projects to receive a third- or fourth-round tender.

A tender offer gives the Falcons the right of first refusal if a player is offered a contract from other teams and draft compensation should the player sign elsewhere as a restricted free agent.