Falcons training camp spotlight: UDFA tight end Jack Velling

The Atlanta Falcons are on the verge of their opening up their first training camp under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. The team's rookie class arrived in Flowery Branch over the weekend, and veterans are set to report on Tuesday. After that, the team will hold its first official practice on Wednes

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What is the story about?

The Atlanta Falcons are on the verge of their opening up their first training camp under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. The team's rookie class arrived in Flowery Branch over the weekend, and veterans are set to report on Tuesday. After that, the team will hold its first official practice on Wednesday, July 29.

There will be no shortage of storylines this year, from the quarterback competition between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa to the battle to replace veteran Kaleb McGary at right tackle. Plus, the team added 19 total rookies to the roster.

The Falcons selected six players in the 2026 NFL Draft, and signed 13 undrafted free agents. In today's Falcons Wire training camp spotlight, we look at UDFA tight end Jack Velling.

Falcons training camp spotlight: TE Jack Velling

2025 stats: 36 catches, 359 yards, 3 TD

The Falcons entered

the offseason with long-term question marks at the tight end position before signing Kyle Pitts to a three-year, $54 million extension to stay in Atlanta through the 2028 NFL season. Atlanta added veteran Austin Hooper, while blocking specialist Charlie Woerner is back for another year.

There's still a lack of long-term depth, and that's where undrafted free agent tight end Jack Velling comes in. Velling began his career at Oregon State, where he posted a career-best 438 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. Despite a promising two-year stretch in which he recorded 45 catches for 719 receiving yards (16 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns, Velling transferred to Michigan State in 2024.

During his two seasons in East Lansing, Velling saw an increase in catches (72 total), but his yardage stayed about the same (770 total receiving yards). At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, the former Spartans tight end has enough size to play at the NFL level but must improve his blocking ability.

In terms of speed, Velling isn't a burner by any means, but he moves well enough and can be an effective red-zone target for whoever starts at quarterback in Atlanta.

"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," NFL Draft Scout wrote in Velling's pre-draft scouting report.

Jack Velling finds the end zone for @MSU_Football 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HWXqir0XYc
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 4, 2025

Falcons training camp spotlight series:

QB Jack Strand
RB Cash Jones
WR Zachariah Branch
WR Vinny Anthony III
WR Keelan Marion

Falcons training camp: Open practice schedule

The Falcons will hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29. After that, the team will hold 10 open practices that fans can attend. Check out Atlanta's full open practice schedule below.