Atlanta Falcons: Dontari Poe makes more money on weigh-in

Newly signed Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe has taken his weight goals seriously this offseason and cashed in for doing so

Free agent pickup nose tackle Dontari Poe earned himself a hefty bonus by coming into training camp this season under 330-pounds. The Atlanta Falcons prized free agent came over from the Kansas City Chiefs, and had some stipulations in his deal that paid him for keeping his weight in check.

For the second time this offseason he has hit the mark he was supposed to, and this one paid him $125,000 according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It’s a big bonus for the man who received a one-year contract worth $8 million following  his five-year stay in Kansas City. The disruptive force looks to be a solid addition to an improving Falcons defensive line, but the team had reason to be concerned.

Poe came into the league at 346-pounds, and the Falcons obviously don’t think he will fit their system at that weight. Head coach Dan Quinn no doubt wants to utilize him more than what Poe saw in his final season with the Chiefs, but fatigue needs to be limited as much as possible.

The Falcons defense has had problems in the past with running out of gas, and the weight bonus for Poe is an indicator they hope to hold players individually accountable.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: No contract done, Devonta Freeman reports anyway

On the field Poe joins a talented cast including defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and edge rushers Vic Beasley, Jr. — who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2016 — and Takkarist McKinley — their first round pick from UCLA.