Schraeder to be released by Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are releasing right tackle Ryan Schraeder, according to multiple reports on Wednesday, in a cost-cutting move. Schraeder, 30, is coming off a down season and was set to count $7.75 million against the cap in 2019, the third year of a five-year, $31 million extension. Atlanta can save $3.95 million of that by releasing him outright, or $6.45 million by designating him as a post-June 1 cut, which would push $2.5 million of dead money into 2020.

Schraeder started 67 consecutive games at right tackle before being benched in Week 13 of last season in favour of Ty Sambrailo. Schraeder finished the year having allowed 6.5 sacks and taken nine penalties in 13 starts, up from three sacks and three penalties in 14 starts in 2017. Sambrailo received a three-year, $14.25 million extension in February, indicating he will get a chance to start moving forward. The Falcons also have reportedly agreed to deals with free agent guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown, which can become official when the new league year opens Wednesday.

An undrafted rookie out of Valdosta State, Schraeder started 73 of 88 career games for the Falcons over six seasons. 

(With inputs from agencies.)