The Atlanta Falcons announced on May 11 that they have signed four players following the conclusion of the team’s rookie minicamp. The new additions to the roster are offensive linemen Brandon Walton and Layden Robinson, defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, and linebacker Daveren Rayner.
The team said these signings came after hosting 24 tryout players during the minicamp, alongside six drafted rookies and 14 undrafted free agents who also participated in practices. To make room for the new arrivals, the Falcons released defensive tackle Ben Stille, running back Carlos Washington, wide receiver Devin Thompkins, and tight end Brandon Frazier.
Rayner is noted as the only rookie among those signed from tryouts. Walton has played in the league since joining as an undrafted free agent with Buffalo in 2020 and has appeared in 19 career games with two starts across several teams. Robinson was a fourth-round pick by New England in 2024 and started eleven games at guard before being waived due to injury last year. Blacklock was selected by Houston in the second round of the 2020 draft and later traded to Minnesota; he has spent time with multiple organizations since then.
The Atlanta Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division, are based in Atlanta, Georgia, began as an expansion team in 1965, have advanced to two Super Bowls (1998 and 2016), and feature Freddie the Falcon as their mascot according to their official website.
Rayner transferred to Kentucky for his final college season after three years at Northern Illinois. He started all twelve games for Kentucky last year with notable statistics including sixty-nine tackles (six-and-a-half for loss), two sacks, four pass breakups, and two interceptions.