FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Atlanta Falcons selected South Carolina defensive end Cliff Matthews in the seventh round of the NFL draft on Saturday.
Matthews will compete with Jamaal Anderson and Lawrence Sidbury for snaps behind starting ends John Abraham and Kroy Biermann.
The Gamecocks moved Matthews from outside linebacker to end before the start of his sophomore season in 2008. After a seven-sack season as a junior, Matthews overcame shoulder surgery to finish his senior year with 5 1/2 sacks.
The Atlanta Falcons also picked Fresno State guard Andrew Jackson in the seventh round.
Jackson gives the Falcons some roster security if Harvey Dahl and Justin Blalock, the team's tandem of starting guards since Mike Smith's first season as coach in 2008, become free agents when the NFL lockout is lifted.
The 6-foot-5, 297-pound Jackson missed nine games last year with an ankle injury, but as a junior he was an All-Western Athletic Conference selection and helped Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews lead the nation in rushing.
Friday
May 17th, 2024
1:07AM
