The Falcons announced on Friday that they’ve signed a slew of draft picks to their rookie contracts, including JD Bertrand, Zion Logue, Jase McClellan, and Casey Washington.
The #Falcons announce they have signed rookies LB JD Bertrand, DT Zion Logue, RB Jase McClellan and WR Casey Washington.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) May 10, 2024
Much of the noise around Flowery Branch will obviously surround Michael Penix Jr., especially in a setting where he can show off his arm, but there’s reason to be excited about the rest of the rookie class too as long as expectations are appropriate.
Bertrand is a local kid who has all of the makings to contribute immediately. It may not be as a traditional linebacker, given the Falcons abundance of talent there, but he’s expected to be a mainstay on special teams. You may scoff when you read that, but the third phase of the game matters, and for a Day 3 pick, that’s how you carve out a role initially.
Logue is interesting because there are a lot of bodies along the defensive front, but he stands to have a good chance of making the final 53-man roster as a run-stuffing interior defender.
McClellan hasn’t suited up yet as he nurses a pre-draft injury; however, I feel safe in assuming it’s a non-issue. The Falcons had to have known about it before drafting him, so it’s probably nothing more than a minor injury.
Casey Washington is interesting because the receiver position seems to be wide open at the bottom of the depth chart. Drake London and Darnell Mooney are going to dominate the snaps, but there’s a lot of room for opportunity behind them for Rondale Moore, KhaDarel Hodge, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Washington.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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