FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons continued adding to their defense by selecting Clemson defensive end Malliciah Goodman in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.
After picking cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford in the first two rounds, the Falcons took Goodman, who had seven sacks last season and whose eight career forced fumbles rank third in Clemson history.
Goodman (6-foot-4, 276 pounds) was a starter the last two years at Clemson.
Atlanta released longtime defensive John Abraham during the offseason and added free agent Osi Umenyiora. Goodman will compete for the second starting job opposite Umenyiora.
Finishing 24th in overall defense last year, the Falcons released cornerback Dunta Robinson and had cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Christopher Owens leave as free agents, but they re-signed strong safety William Moore.
