Ranking the Falcons undrafted rookies and minicamp invitees
It’s not just Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ five other draft picks who will be convening at the team’s training facility Friday for rookie minicamp. There are at least 11 other new faces expected — six undrafted free agents and five invitees who could find themselves as UDFAs after the weekend.
These are not players who should be overlooked. Last season, Atlanta signed 13 undrafted free agents and five of them are on the 90-man roster — wide receiver Jared Bernhardt, cornerback Matt Hankins, defensive lineman Timmy Horne, linebacker Nate Landman and offensive lineman Tyler Vrabel.
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The offseason roster of this Atlanta team is much different than last year’s, and presumably much better, so it probably will be tougher for the players in this group to make the team, but there are some spots that could be had.
Today, we’re going to rank the UDFAs and invitees based on who is most likely to still be around at this time next year.
We're talking offensive targets, Desmond Ridder, available WRs and why lots of people think the Falcons hate Georgia players (the issue is more widespread than I believed). And more–>https://t.co/JZLLxvL1b1
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) May 8, 2023
6-foot-4, 264 pounds
Enechukwu tops this list because he’s the only one of these players listed in Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” this year. Enechukwu, who is Brugler’s No. 45 edge rusher in the class, played in the East-West Shrine Bowl, so the Falcons coaching staff got a long look at him. He started 30 college games and had nine sacks in his final two seasons. He “isn’t a sudden or highly skilled rusher, but he has some NFL value as a linear player who can use his length as a weapon, projecting best as a rotational end or three-technique,” Brugler wrote. His biggest problem is he’s joining a position group that suddenly is pretty deep.
2. Barry Wesley, OL, XFL (invitee)
6-7, 314 pounds
Wesley was a standout at Colorado State, where he played every offensive line spot except center. He’ll have a chance to win a spot on the roster because the Falcons’ depth at tackle is thin.
3. Keilahn Harris, WR, Oklahoma Baptist (UDFA)
5-10, 180 pounds
Harris is at the top of a large group of wide receivers on this list because of production and versatility. He was named a Division II All-American last year after setting the school’s career records for catches (196), receiving yards (2,510) and return yards (1,570). He’ll be catching some kickoffs and punts this weekend.
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4. Kevin Atkins, DL, XFL (invitee)
6-2, 307 pounds
Atkins, a former Fresno State standout, was originally signed as a UDFA by the 49ers in 2022, which is a good sign considering how well San Francisco evaluates and develops defensive linemen. Atkins played briefly in the preseason before being cut and landing with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. He has some explosion for a guy who can play defensive tackle.
Current @XFLBattlehawks DL Kevin Atkins (@BIG_BRO_93) has been invited to Atlanta #Falcons camp.
(per: @XFL2023)
— The Athletes Plug (@TheAthletesPlug) May 4, 2023
5. Xavier Malone, WR, Henderson State (UDFA)
5-9, 180 pounds
Speed is what gives Malone a shot. He has run a 4.36 40-yard dash, and the Falcons’ wide receiver corps could use some of that juice. After two years at community college, Malone caught 135 passes for 2,352 yards in two years at Henderson State. Atlanta still needs a receiver who can consistently stress a defense down the field.
6. Lukas Denis, DB, XFL (invitee)
5-11, 190 pounds
Another former Battlehawk, Denis was second in college football in interceptions in 2017 with seven. The Boston College alumnus played his final collegiate season in 2018 and has been trying to stick with an NFL team since. He had two interceptions and a sack in St. Louis this year. If he can make a couple of plays on the ball and embrace a special teams role, he has a chance at a position that can use more depth.
5-11, 220 pounds
Coach Arthur Smith has a type at running back. Washington is basically a physical clone of Tyler Allgeier, a big, bruising back who can wear down defenses. Washington had 147 carries for 715 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. There’s room for another big back in Atlanta, especially if Caleb Huntley can’t return to full health this season.
GO DEEPER
Final Falcons draft thoughts: Bijan Robinson, Jalen Carter, the defensive plan and more
6-1, 230 pounds
There’s plenty of pedigree here. Jones, who started his college career at Clemson, was a top-250 player in high school when he signed with the Tigers. After starting seven games as a sophomore at Clemson, he transferred to LSU, where he started only nine games in two seasons but was named a team captain. Jones’ problem is there are a lot of inside linebackers on the roster and not a lot of roster spots for them.
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6-3, 210 pounds
The Georgia native transferred to Buffalo from Louisville and led the Bulls in receiving with 64 catches and 837 yards. He was a three-star recruit at Newton High School. He has the physical profile that Smith likes in his wide receivers, and he’s going to have to prove to be an enthusiastic run blocker to have a chance.
10. Chase Brice, QB, Appalachian State (invitee)
6-3, 235 pounds
A Georgia native who won a state title as Grayson’s quarterback in 2016, Brice was a top-20 quarterback in his high school class before signing with Clemson out of high school. He first transferred to Duke and then finished his college career at App State. Brice played in the East-West Shrine Bowl, although not on the team coached by Atlanta’s staff. He’s expected to participate in Washington’s minicamp, too. Falcons third-stringer Logan Woodside is the bar any quarterback is going to have to exceed to earn a spot in Atlanta.
11. Cam Sutton, TE, XFL (invitee)
6-4, 229 pounds
The former Fresno State Bulldog caught 12 passes for the Vegas Vipers this year. Sutton had nine catches for 154 yards in his two seasons at Fresno State, where his final season was 2019. He’s going to have to do something special to find a spot in a room that includes Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith, Parker Hesse, Feleipe Franks, John FitzPatrick, etc.
(Photo of Ikenna Enechukwu: Michael Wyke / Associated Press)
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