The Atlanta Falcons have been busy reshaping their roster, and their undrafted free agent class is no exception. Just one day after rookie minicamp, the team made a quick adjustment—releasing tight end Brandon Frazier and signing linebacker Daveren Rayner. While that move might seem sudden, it's actually quite common for a team that signed over a dozen undrafted free agents and invited two dozen players for tryouts. Frazier's time in Atlanta may have been brief, but the Falcons still have another rookie tight end worth watching.

Enter Jack Velling, the former Michigan State Spartans tight end who now has a chance to carve out a role in Atlanta. The Falcons have placed their franchise tag on star tight end Kyle Pitts, but with no long-term commitment beyond the 2026 season, the door is open for a potential successor. Velling may not have Pitts' explosive playmaking ability, but he brings intriguing upside as a pass-catcher and red-zone specialist.

Velling's journey to the NFL started at Oregon State, where he burst onto the scene in 2023 with a career-best 438 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Over a promising two-year stretch with the Beavers, he hauled in 45 catches for 719 yards (an impressive 16 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns. That production earned him a transfer to Michigan State in 2024, where he saw even more targets—racking up 72 catches over two seasons—though his yardage remained steady at 770 total.

At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Velling has the frame to compete at the NFL level. He's not a speed demon, but he moves well enough to create mismatches in the passing game, especially near the goal line. His size and route-running polish make him a natural fit for red-zone packages, and he could become a reliable target for whoever lines up under center for Atlanta.

But there's a catch. Velling's blocking remains a work in progress, and that's a critical skill for any tight end hoping to see the field regularly. As NFL Draft Scout noted in their pre-draft analysis, "Velling's natural hands and route-running polish give him an immediate advantage in passing situations, yet the blocking deficiencies that plagued him in college won't disappear overnight against stronger, more technical NFL defenders."

For Falcons fans, Velling is a name to keep an eye on during training camp. If he can shore up his blocking and continue to develop as a receiver, he could carve out a niche as a valuable depth piece—and maybe even a long-term option if Pitts eventually moves on.