The Atlanta Falcons are rumored to be interested in Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo once free agency opens next week. But he isn't the only Redskin the Falcons are hoping to meet with. Tight end Niles Paul also appears to be on the team's radar.
"The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Paul is one of several tight ends headed for free agency who has played in Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's scheme," ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure wrote. "The others include Jordan Cameron of the Cleveland Browns and Owen Daniels of the Baltimore Ravens. Cameron has had concussion issues, while Daniels will turn 33 during the 2015 season.
"Paul, who turns 26 in August, wouldn't be a flashy pickup, but the Falcons aren't expected to invest heavily in a top tight end, such as Denver's Julius Thomas. However, Paul, a former fifth-round draft picks who just completed his fourth NFL season, would be more than capable of playing his role."
The Falcons never really replaced Tony Gonzalez when he retired after the 2013 season. Atlanta's leading tight end last season was Levine Toilolo, who caught 31 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. An increase in playing time, thanks to injuries to starting TE Jordan Reed, allowed Paul to record 39 receptions for 507 yards and one touchdown in seven starts last season. That includes a four game stretch to start the season in which Paul averaged 5.2 receptions for 78.3 yards per game. Not exactly Rob Gronkowski numbers, but certainly an upgrade over what the team has now.
Former teammate Rex Grossman had nothing but positive things to say about Paul.
"He's as tough as s---," Grossman said of Paul. "He's like the one guy in the locker room you do not want to pick a fight with. He's just a tough wide receiver/tight end who shows up on special teams all the time.
"That's kind of how he got his reputation as a rookie, on special teams. Then after a couple of years, they moved him to tight end because he was so strong and could show that, especially in the zone running scheme where basically all you have to do is get your hat in front of the defensive linemen and cut them off. He was strong enough to hold them off in situations where he actually had to do the things normal tight ends do."
Paul won't solve all of Atlanta's problems by himself. But he could be an inexpensive and dependable option who is made more valuable by the injury concerns that accompany fellow pass-catchers Julio Jones and Roddy White.
