We are awarding running back Brian Hill and rookie linebacker Mykal Walker with game balls from the first scrimmage Thursday.
Hill had a strong showing as he ran with authority. He had a long gainer running off a block by left tackle Jake Matthews. The offenses didn’t do much else. As expected, they are behind the defense early in camp.
“Brian (Hill) came back in fantastic shape,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said before the scrimmage. “He’s 100 percent a guy on a mission. You see his speed at practice. His ability to catch has certainly improved.”
Hill is in a battle with Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison to be Todd Gurley’s main backup. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter could find roles for all four of the backs in a deep committee approach.
“Ollison, the same, weight looks different,” Quinn said. “His body has changed. …The redshirt is off. Time for him to really go establish what he can do. I’m definitely encouraged about both of those guys, not only will they have a role at running back, but on special teams as well.”
Walker had a nice interception in the scrimmage. He has turned some heads in practice with at least two interceptions, while others have reported three. He’s around the ball in coverage and that’s a good thing.
Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson tipped the ball in the air that Walker intercepted in the scrimmage.
The fourth-round pick will not have the benefit on any exhibition games to impress the coaches, but he has a plan.
We’ll ask about Quinn’s film review of the scrimmage to share with you all Saturday.
Tryouts: The Falcons had tackle Ka’John Armstrong and guard Willie Beavers in for tryouts, as reported to the NFL on Thursday.
Armstrong, 24, is 6-5 and 300 pounds. He played at Eastern Michigan.
Beavers, 26, is 6-5 and 322 pounds. He played at Western Michigan and was a fourth-round pick by the Vikings in 2016. He has played in two NFL games.
Dill waived. Offensive tackle Scottie Dill, an undrafted rookie from Memphis, was released on Friday. He was re-signed on Friday, August 14.
Dill originally signed with the Falcons following the 2020 NFL draft. He appeared in 53 games with 13 starts in four seasons at Memphis. His father, Scott Dill, played 10 seasons in the NFL (1988-97).
MYKAL WALKER’S DRAFT BIO
Fourth round (119th overall) –- Mykal Walker, LB, Fresno State
Height: 6-foot-3. Weight: 230 pounds. Arm Length: 32 1/2 inches. Hand size: 10 inches. 40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds. Bench press: 20 reps of 225 pounds. Vertical jump: 33 inches. Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches. Three-cone drill: 7.09 seconds. Short Shuttle: 4.25. 3-cone: 7.09.
Overview: Walker, 22, was born in Fresno, but raised in Sacramento, Calif. He started his career at Azusa Pacific and played the final two seasons at Fresno State. He was highly productive with 325 tackles, 38 tackles for losses, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, 17 passes defensed and four interceptions. He lettered in basketball, football and track in high school. Walker is the fifth player the Falcons have selected from Fresno State in franchise history and the first since 2006 (Adam Jennings). He earned back-to-back first team All-Mountain West honors. He played middle linebacker, outside linebacker and defensive end in 2019 when he finished with 96 tackles.
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