Jose

Valdez

Valdez was a training camp darling for a couple of years in Atlanta after going undrafted out Arkansas. Valdez does have decent size and footwork, but he’s yet to see regular-season action.

Valdez was once a well-thought-of guard prospect in the Falcons’ organization, when new Rams GM Les Snead was a personnel director. Valdez isn’t any kind of long-term solution, but St. Louis has an enormous hole at left guard.

Smith, who had 15 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 YPC as a senior at Florida State, is probably the most interesting prospect here. He remains a long shot to play in an NFL game at 5'9/190, however, and went undrafted last April.

All seven players finished the season on the Falcons’ practice squad. There’s nothing to get excited about here.

Valdez actually started at left tackle in the Falcons’ preseason finale, so the staff sees some potential here. He spent all of last season on Atlanta’s practice squad and could be headed back there again. Same goes for Bush.

RT Tyson Clabo, RG Harvey Dahl, and LG Justin Blalock all have expiring contracts, so GM Tom Dimitroff could find himself in a bind after betting the farm on Julio Jones. On the other hand, at least two could end up restricted pending the labor outcome. The Falcons have groomed Mike Johnson, Jose Valdez, and Garrett Reynolds, but they’d be steps down from the high-quality veterans.

Untested Jose Valdez and swing tackle Will Svitek will be in the mix as well. In addition to Clabo, starting guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl are also set to test the market. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff insists there’s been a plan in place to restructure the offensive line, but it’s an area of concern for a team that considers itself a legit contender.

The Falcons believe both players will garner “hefty deals,” and they’re apparently prepared to let them walk. GM Thomas Dimitroff has been drafting with this scenario in mind for the past couple of years, and he’s said to be confident in replacements Mike Johnson and Jose Valdez. Dimitroff is expected to be “judicious” in signing veteran free agents this summer.