DRAFT-FALCONS-JARRETT
Falcons trade up to draft Clemson defensive tackle Jarrett
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) β The Atlanta Falcons have traded up eight spots to choose Clemson defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
Jarrett teamed with pass rusher Vic Beasley, whom Atlanta selected with the No. 8 overall pick on Thursday, during the last four years at Clemson.
The Falcons dealt the Minnesota Vikings a fifth- and sixth-round pick to acquire the top spot of the fifth round.
Improving quarterback pressure has been the top priority of new coach Dan Quinn. Atlanta’s defense allowed the highest combined passer rating over the last two years under his predecessor, Mike Smith.
Quinn and the Falcons upgraded their coverage in Friday’s second round by picking LSU cornerback Jalen Collins.
Jarrett had 29.5 career tackles for minus yardage and 37 quarterback pressures at Clemson.
DRAFT-REDSKINS
Redskins wrap up busy NFL draft, moves result in 10 players
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) β After finishing 4-12 last season and in the NFC East basement for the sixth time in seven years, the Washington Redskins went into the draft looking to get bigger, stronger and add depth.
Washington drafted three offensive linemen, two linebackers, two receivers, two defensive backs and a running back.
Coach Jay Gruden says, “You can never have too many big guys that can move the pile. We picked up some pretty good players late.”
Washington made deals with Seattle and New Orleans to acquire three extra picks.
Among Washington’s Day 3 picks were Alabama guard Arie Kouandjio, who played at nearby DeMatha High School, Virginia Tech safety Kyshoen Jarrett, and Ohio State receiver Evan Spencer, whose brother Cole is a Redskins scout and whose father Tim is Tampa Bay’s running backs coach.
NASCAR-TALLADEGA-XFINITY
Joey Logano uses big block on last lap to win Xfinity race
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) β Joey Logano picked up his third Xfinity Series win of the season by throwing a big block on the final lap at Talladega Superspeedway.
Logano was the leader on a restart with eight laps remaining Saturday. He had Elliott Sadler hooked to his bumper as drivers jockeyed for position.
An outside lane formed led by Chris Buescher, a teammate of Sadler’s at Roush Fenway Racing. As the cars circled the track for the final lap, Sadler had no room to make a move for the lead, and separated from Logano’s bumper.
Buescher’s pack surged forward, and Logano slid up the track to cut off the momentum.
The block allowed Logano to seal the win.
Buescher and Sadler faded to sixth and seventh.
DRAFT-FALCONS
Falcons add to receiving corps with ECU’s Hardy in 4th round
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) β The Atlanta Falcons have beefed up their receiving corps by selecting Justin Hardy of East Carolina with the eighth pick in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
Hardy, the FBS career leader with 387 catches, becomes the top candidate for the No. 3 receiver’s job behind Julio Jones and Roddy White.
The Falcons need to fill the role after Harry Douglas was released and signed with Tennessee. Hardy averaged 107 catches, 1,294 yards receiving and 9.7 touchdowns the last three years.
In Friday’s third round, Atlanta picked Indiana running back Tevin Coleman to compete with Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith for the starting job.
The Falcons need to replenish the depth chart after releasing top guard Justin Blalock and could choose an offensive lineman in the next few rounds.
BEER BARRELS LIMIT
Beer by the barrel: A conflict of interests for NC lawmakers
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) β Failure for one group to change North Carolina law often means success for opposing interests in the General Assembly.
An example is that craft beer-makers didn’t get a change sought for years after public and private lobbying efforts ahead of a self-imposed legislative deadline this week. A lawmaker failed in his last-minute push to force legislation out of a committee where it was buried.
Small breweries want to increase limits on how much they can sell on their own before turning over marketing and sales functions to a middleman. North Carolina has more home-grown breweries than any state south of Pennsylvania and brewers say greater self-distribution would create more jobs.
The state’s influential beer wholesalers group says the law works well now and distributors successfully limit illegal consumption and collect taxes.
DRAFT-PANTHERS
Panthers trade up to get OT Williams from Oklahoma
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Panthers have traded up to select Oklahoma offensive tackle Daryl Williams in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
The Panthers gave up their fourth round (124th), fifth round (161st) and seventh round (242nd) picks to move up 22 spots. It’s the second time in this draft the Panthers have traded away three picks to move up.
Carolina gave up three picks on Friday to move up 16 spots in the second round.
The 6-foot-6, 329-pound Williams gives the Panthers the offensive tackle they have been trying to land. He’s played almost entirely at right tackle while at Oklahoma but Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman says Williams can play both tackle spots.
Williams started all 13 games at right tackle last season and was named All-Big 12.
