/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55245225/120100952.0.jpg)
As you might expect, the first day of mandatory minicamp was a busy one for the Falcons. There was plenty of practice, remarks to the press, and a couple of highlight reel plays from undrafted free agents we’re probably all going to get too excited about. Let’s dive right in!
We’ll begin with that highlight reel play.
Best play during first day of Falcons minicamp was rookie QB Alek Torgersen hitting... https://t.co/E6EB3SSKYJ pic.twitter.com/rn4WaGLzKv
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) June 13, 2017
The throw of the day was said to be a bomb from UDFA QB Alek Torgersen to Georgia UDFA WR Reggie Davis, who beat Jalen Collins for a touchdown grab. Torgersen probably has the second-best arm on the team right now, even if he’s not going to beat out Matt Schaub, so he’ll bear watching. Davis could snag a spot on the practice squad if he can keep it up.
It’s worth noting, as McClure does, that Dan Quinn singled out Brian Hill as a top performer today, too. Hill’s extremely likely to make the roster as the team’s third running back, so it’s great to see him standing out early.
#Falcons keeping first-round pick Takkarist McKinley up to speed via Facetime https://t.co/YiiuwyC9Cp
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) June 14, 2017
McKinley can’t report just yet, so the team is keeping him in the loop. We’ll get to see him in action during training camp, but I really wish it was sooner.
Wes Schweitzer with starters at RG to start early drills. OL coach Chris Morgan said equal reps with him, Ben Garland pic.twitter.com/LYczp5rdyB
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) June 13, 2017
This is what the Falcons promised would happen before minicamp, and they’re sticking to it. Rookie Sean Harlow does not currently appear to be part of the battle here, which leaves Schweitzer and Garland to duke it out. Our money’s still on Schweitzer, but the versatile Garland shouldn’t be counted out, especially not this early in the summer.
Falcons Dontari Poe, who met his 125K, 340 lb/less weight bonus, said he planned to get weight there, bonus or not. https://t.co/aPK1kOEjyX
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) June 13, 2017
Poe has a little ways to go in order to be at his playing weight and earn more $$, but it’s good to see him dedicating himself to making the progress he needs to make to get there. The Falcons think the talented defensive tackle can be even better if he’s lighter on his feet, and it looks like we’ll get to confirm that at the rate their big free agency signing is going.
Matt Ryan says @AustinHooper18's game has grown "exponentially" this offseason... thinks he'll be a big part of offensive success this year pic.twitter.com/XJnW3MFg7A
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) June 13, 2017
Hooper is going to bust out this year. Vault me, or whatever draft Twitter says.
Matt Ryan wants a "15- or 20-year career" https://t.co/RcHs2gS64O
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 14, 2017
God yes. Yes. This.