The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Toilolo move opens need for tight end
Veteran is expected to be released; team adds cap space by cutting Shelby.
With the pending release of tight
INDIANAPOLIS — end Levine Toilolo, the Falcons are in the market for a tight end and could draft one for the third consecutive season.
The Falcons drafted Austin Hooper in the third round of the 2016 draft and Eric Saubert in the fifth round in 2017.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has Wisconsin tight end Troy Fumagalli on his radar.
“He’s another tight end that has come out of that school,” Dimitroff said. “Year after year, there is always a player there. They do a good job of cultivating (talent). It will be fun to watch where he
ends up.”
Fumagalli, 6 feet 5 and 247 pounds, is projected
to be drafted in the fourth round by NFLDraftScout. com.
“I think he’s a wellrounded football player, who’s got the drive to produce both as a receiver but also can get in the way as
a blocker,” Dimitroff said. “We are all looking for players with the versatility to do both.
“It’s very difficult to find (tight ends) who are both athletic and big-time blockers. That’s not an easy thing to find. Any element of showing of both qualities is a good thing for him.”
Defensive end Shelby
released: In addition to planning to part ways with Toilolo, the Falcons announced defensive end Derrick Shelby had been released.
Shelby recently wrapped up his second season with the Falcons after signing a four-year deal as a free agent in 2016. Shelby’s first season with the team was
cut short when he tore his Achilles after appearing in six games. He returned to play in every game during the 2017 season, recording 30 tackles and a sack while making 14 starts.
The move will clear $3.25 million in cap space for the Falcons. Shelby was set to make a base salary of $4.5 million.