There is no sense of urgency for right tackle Ryan Schraeder to sign his restricted free-agent tender with the Falcons, at least from his perspective.
Of course, the Falcons want Schraeder signed and secured under the one-year, $2.553 million tender so they can go about business as usual, as they did when linebacker Paul Worrilow recently signed the same second-round tender. But for Schraeder, there's still a chance he could generate some interest before the April 22 deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets from other teams.
Would a team give Schraeder a sizeable contract and give up a second-round draft pick in the process if the Falcons decline to match? It seems like a long shot for any restricted free agent. But one NFL personnel guy said Schraeder's toughness and starting experience would make the former undrafted player a valuable starter on many teams around the league. Schraeder started all 16 games last season and was designated a first-team All-Pro performer by Pro Football Focus. This is how one NFC scout described Schraeder: "Big, smart, aware young player who is improving. Better in pass [protection] than in run game."
Teams such as Detroit and Seattle remain desperate for starting-caliber offensive tackles as the April 28 draft approaches.
Schraeder, who turns 28 in May, isn't overly consumed with the whole process, letting agents Joel and Justin Turner handle matters.
He firmly believes in his ability.
"I think what I have done well through my career so far is take coaching," Schraeder said this week. "I've come to realize that like players, coaches come and go. I had three line coaches in three years. I've learned a lot about football from many perspectives. I didn't play high school football, and only three years in college.
"I had a lot to learn about this game coming into the NFL. I needed to become a professional. I felt like I've grown every year as a player. And I plan on continuing to grow."