Rookie mini-camp in the NFL is to see who stands out among everyone else with the same goal in mind.
The Atlanta Falcons took to the field in Flowery Branch on Friday for the opening of a three-day rookie mini camp. With all five of the Falcons draft picks, eleven UDFA's, and the rest being tryout athletes, it was time to get to work and find out who would stand out from the rest in an attempt to fulfill a childhood dream.
Things would kick off at noon after an introductory press conference with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, where he would say that he will be focusing more on tryout players and undrafted free agents (UDFA) than on the team's 2025 draft class.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the teams 2024 rookie mini camp. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the teams 2024 rookie mini camp. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Morris would praise the teams first round draft selection Jalon Walker immediately saying “When you talk to guys, it’s hard not to see future captain in these guy’s makeup," Morris said. "The team will decide and he’ll decide that, but you see the makeup."
“Jalon Walker is a sharp man," Morris said. "He has a dad that’s been coaching him for as old as he is. You can tell. It’s all over his body, it’s all over his core." When Walker was asked about the praise coming from Morris, he stated, " I take that with honor and pride. It’s what I always pride myself on being that leader and being that captain for the ball club that I’m playing a part of," he said. "Me being here is just going to encourage the rest of the team and encourage myself to be better and keep leading the team the way it should."
Throughout the day, with each player's comments afterwards, they all shared a common theme. Put in the work, improve, get acclimated, and make a positive contribution to the team.
Below is a list of all players attending camp.
EDGE Jalon Walker
QB Ben DiNucci
QB Emory Jones
P Trenton GiIl
CB Christian Matthew
EDGE James Pearce Jr.
CB James Jones IV
CB Kam Alexander
S Xavier Watts
DB Quinten Johnson
DB Billy Bowman
DB Kristian Story
DB KJ Wallace
WR Quincy Skinner Ir.
CB Cobee Bryant
RB Nathan Carter
CB Dontae Manning
RB Zak Wallace
ILB Malik Verdon
LS Hunter Rogers
TE Juan Davis
K Lenny Krieg
TE Joshua Simon
LB Ozzie Nicholas
OL Carson Heidecker
OL Jordan Williams
LB Caleb Johnson
ILB Nick Kubitz
OL Michael Gonzalez
OL Joey Fisher
OL Joshua Gray
OL Jack Nelson
OL Matthew Cindric
WR Nick Nash
WR Ajani Williams
WR Makai Polk
WR Deven Thompkins
WR Lawrence Arnold
DL Simeon Barrow Jr.
DL Kevin Hester Jr.
DL Marion Taylor