Falcons Draft Combine: 8 Prospects Interviewing with Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons have been busy with interviews at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Here's an early list of prospects talking with the team.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Atlanta Falcons are entering a critical third offseason spearheaded by general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith - and a key part of the process is currently taking place at the NFL Combine.

Fontenot and Smith have previously mentioned the value of getting to spend time with draft prospects, as it allows them the chance to get to see how each player is wired.

So, who have the Falcons met with thus far? Here's what the staff at Falcon Report at SI knows following the first day of interviews with defensive linemen and linebackers ...

Myles Murphy, Defensive End, Clemson

Murphy, a native of Marietta, Georgia, told Falcon Report that his parents have been Falcons season-ticket holders and the idea of playing in front of his family has crossed his mind. Murphy met with both Smith and Fontenot in his formal interview.

For more on the conversation, click HERE.

Tyree Wilson, Defensive End, Texas Tech

A potential top-five pick, it's no certainty that Wilson gets to the Falcons at No. 8 overall - but he said he'd be "excited" if Atlanta drafts him and enjoyed the meeting.

For more on what Wilson said, click HERE.

YaYa Diaby, Outside Linebacker, Louisville

An Atlanta native, Diaby told Falcon Report that he grew up a Falcons fan and had an informal meeting with the team at the Senior Bowl. Asked about the possibility of playing for his favorite team, Diaby said "I sure have (thought about it)."

Owen Pappoe, Linebacker, Auburn

Pappoe, who hails from Lawrenceville, Georgia, talked to the Falcons on Tuesday and revealed that he'll be at the team's local day before the draft.

"It would be huge to stay home and be able to play for them," said Pappoe, a four-year starter at Auburn.

D.J. Dale, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

A freshman starter and four-year contributor for the Crimson Tide, Dale said that he met with Atlanta at the Senior Bowl and had an informal meeting at the Combine with Falcons senior defensive analyst Dave Huxtable, who was recently hired away from Alabama.

Shaka Heyward, Linebacker, Duke

Heyward said that he had a meeting with one of the Falcons' "linebackers assistant coach," presumably inside linebackers coach Frank Bush. The interview "went well," per Heyward, and the Dacula, Georgia native said, "it would be cool to go back home."

Heyward comes from a football family, as his cousins include Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward and tight end Connor Heyward, among several other college and professional players.

Lukas Van Ness, Defensive End, Iowa

Van Ness said his meeting with the Falcons, which came on Tuesday, went "very well" and he likes Atlanta's defensive scheme, per Fox 5's Miles Garrett.

Byron Young, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

According to USA Today, the Falcons were one of only three teams to meet with Young, a first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American selection.

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