Atlanta Falcons: Rookie Minicamp Kicks Off

The 2017 NFL Draft is in the rearview. This week we get our first look at Atlanta’s rookie class.

The first official event of the Falcons offseason gets underway this week, as Atlanta’s newly minted batch of rookies hits the field for the first time. Starting on Friday, May 12, the newest Falcons will report to Flowery Branch for a three-day minicamp.

The entire crop of Atlanta’s draftees will be in attendance, as well as 21 undrafted free agents. This will be our first glimpse at what the 2017 rookie class can bring to the table on the field, and yet another checkbox filled until it’s finally football season. 

Minicamp won’t provide too much in the way of what we can expect heading into the summer’s offseason program, but it’s the first opportunity for new Falcons to show their mettle on the field in front of Dan Quinn, the coaches and coordinators. For potential camp battles on the horizon, as with fifth-rounder Damontae Kazee seeking a cornerback or safety spot and fourth-rounder Sean Harlow looking to land at right guard, rookie minicamp provides valuable reps–absent pads–and face time with coaching staff.

It will also be interesting to see the limitations of Atlanta’s first-round pick defensive end Takkarist McKinley, fresh off of a shoulder surgery in March. Reports have varied regarding his timeline for return, so this weekend’s rookie minicamp may provide some insight into how his recovery is progressing.

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Where this minicamp will prove most crucial is in instilling Dan Quinn’s Brotherhood mantra into these new Atlanta Falcons. The foundation for that brotherhood is forged during offseason workouts like these, and the Falcons’ 2017 rookie class will get their first taste of it this weekend.