All six draft picks have agreed to terms as the team heads into rookie minicamp on Friday.
Today, the Falcons agreed to terms with the rest of their rookie class: defensive end Takk McKinley, linebacker Duke Riley, running back Brian Hill, and tight end Eric Saubert.
The Falcons traded up five spots to get the defensive end from Richmond, CA, who played in 28 games for UCLA after playing a season at Contra Costa College. McKinley transferred to UCLA in 2014 and recorded 99 total tackles, 28.0 tackles for loss, 16.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 10 passes defensed over his three-year collegiate career. In 2016, McKinley was selected first-team All-Pac-12 by the coaches in the conference. McKinley recorded 18.0 tackles for loss during his final year with the Bruins, which was the second-best mark in the Pac-12.
Riley was the fifth player from LSU General Manager Thomas Dimitroff drafted during his time here – third time in three years. The 6-1, 230-pound linebacker played in 50 games with 13 starts for the Tigers over four years and tallied 144 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Last year during his senior season, he took over as the starter, replacing current Falcons linebacker Deion Jones at inside linebacker, while starting all 12 games and finishing the season with 93 total tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Hill is a 6-1, 219 pound running back who describes his running style as "violent." He ran for over 4,287 yards on 775 carries during his career at Wyoming. Hill also recorded 35 rushing touchdowns and chipped in 41 receptions for 403 yards. Last season, Hill rushed for 1,860 yards on 349 carries with 22 touchdowns. He set a career high with 289 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Nevada.
Saubert earned his fourth All-Pioneer-Football League selection after being named first-team PFL in 2016. He ranked 19th in the nation with 10 receiving touchdowns, and was second in the nation among tight ends with 70.5 receiving yards per game. In 2016, he recorded 56 receptions for 776 yards.
