Falcons cut Toilolo, save $2.5 million in cap space

12/7/17 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) extends a catch near the end of the second quarter that lead to a Falcons TD.   Atlanta Falcons play their rival, the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.    BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

12/7/17 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) extends a catch near the end of the second quarter that lead to a Falcons TD. Atlanta Falcons play their rival, the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

The Falcons released tight end Levine Toilolo on Friday, the team announced.

The Falcons saved $2.5 million in salary-cap space.

The 6-foot-8 tight end was drafted in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2013 draft with the hope of becoming a red-zone threat.

His hands were not very good, and he ended up becoming a blocking tight end.

Toilolo, who played at Stanford, played in 79 games and made 57 starts. He caught 74 of 114 targeted passes for 727 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Falcons are clearing salary-cap space as they continue to work on a lucrative contract extension for quarterback Matt Ryan.