New Falcons regime practicing patience as first NFL Draft approaches

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The Atlanta Falcons are currently one of six teams without a first-round pick, so Cunningham will likely have to wait an extra 24 hours to actually do the job he’s been working his entire professional career to attain. “We’ll be watching and see what happens (in the first round),” Cunningham said Monday. “Who knows?” While it’s possible Atlanta could trade back into this year’s first round after giving away the pick last year in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, Cunningham seemed to suggest Monday that that’s unlikely. Instead, he will treat Thursday night like a practice rep to be better prepared for Friday and Saturday for Rounds 2 through 7. “Maybe just trying to get a dry run, see, ‘What would it have been like (if we were picking here)?’” he said. “Just trying to find some little things we can do to stay engaged but also to get some practice.” As of early in the week, the 40-year-old former Chicago Bears assistant general manager is not nervous about his first draft in charge. “I haven’t had the chance to really think about it,” he said. “Maybe it’ll come down the road. I’m more excited, and we’re excited to see who we will bring in this week.” The Falcons’ scheduled first pick of the draft — No. 48 — will come in Friday night’s second round. Atlanta also has picks No. 79, 122, 215 and 231. Cunningham would like to add additional picks but might have to settle for five, he said. “We’re comfortable sitting and waiting and taking five players who are going to help us now and into the future,” he said. Atlanta could add more picks by trading tight end Kyle Pitts, who is set to play this year on the franchise tag. The compensation for Pitts would be unlikely to get the Falcons into the first round, but it could return something in the neighborhood of a second- and fifth-round pick. Cunningham didn’t close the door on the idea Monday. “I would say, for all the players, we’re going to listen. I wouldn’t just say Kyle,” he said. “That’s our job. It doesn’t mean that that’s going to happen, but if people call, we will listen.” Once the draft does arrive, the Falcons feel confident they will be ready when the time comes. “We have earmarked a few players at each position at all levels that we’re really excited about and looking forward to being able to bring some of those players into the building,” Cunningham said. “We are trying to create competition and get some good football players.” Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski, along with Stefanski’s coaching staff, have already had meetings to resolve any conflicting views they had on particular prospects. “We don’t spend a whole lot of time on the guys we all see the same way,” Stefanski said. “Those disagreements are the fun part of this. Sitting in there saying, ‘OK, he’s good, yeah, he’s good,’ that’s no fun. How do we see it differently and why? It’s healthy debate.” President of football Matt Ryan has also been heavily involved in player evaluations. Last week, he watched tape of cornerbacks in Cunningham’s office. “That was one of the cooler things of my career,” Cunningham said. “I just wanted to see it from his lens as a quarterback, just to see, ‘Who was a guy you might not have liked to throw to?’ It’s been fun to have him as support.” The Falcons believe wide receiver and defensive end, two positions of need, are deep with talent. But they’re concerned about early drop-offs at running back and defensive tackle, and those evaluations could affect their actions this weekend. “We are believers in ‘best player available,’ but you also have to take into account where some of those positional cliffs are,” Cunningham said. Defensive tackle remains a position of need for Atlanta, although the need may have been lessened by last week’s trade of defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive lineman Maason Smith, who Atlanta believes is better suited to play nose tackle. “It was good for (the Jaguars) and good for us,” Stefanski said. Smith’s “ability to work inside was something we were looking for. It was a good opportunity for us to add a player we feel is a little more of an inside player.” Smith played only 31 percent of the Jaguars’ defensive snaps last year, but the Falcons believe he will excel in their defensive scheme, which asks defensive linemen to attack upfield. “He’s strong, he’s physical and we’re excited about his upside,” Cunningham said. Atlanta also addressed its immediate need at right tackle after Kaleb McGary’s sudden retirement by signing veteran Jawaan Taylor. The Falcons had been aware that McGary might retire but were relieved that Taylor, who has seven years of experience and 111 NFL starts, was still available via free agency. “Good cultural fit. Great person. Will fit in great with that room,” Stefanski said. “He has played on some good football teams.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms