The Falcons have become the first team to sign every member of their 2016 draft class to their rookie contracts.
Atlanta got the ball rolling with safety Keanu Neal on Wednesday and announced on Thursday evening that they have secured deals with their other five picks. At the rate that rookies have been signing around the league, they shouldn’t be the only team with every pick signed for too long.
Second-round linebacker Deion Jones, third-round tight end Austin Hooper, fourth-round linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, sixth-round guard Wes Schweitzer and seventh-round wide receiver Devin Fuller joined Neal as Falcons selections this year.
Jones is slated to play middle linebacker, where he could push aside incumbent starter Paul Worrilow and bring some speed to a defense that needs it. Hooper could also see a lot of playing time early after showing at Stanford that he can make plays as a receiver and can use size to be an effective blocker.
