FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons signed inside linebacker JD Bertrand to his rookie deal, the organization announced Friday.
Bertrand's rookie deal is estimated to be $4.3 million in total value, according to OverTheCap.com. He would carry a cap number of $882,506 in 2024 before topping out in 2027 at $1.27 million.
Get to know more about the Falcons' No. 143 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Height: 6-0
Weight: 235
School: Notre Dame
2023 stats: 12 appearances, 12 starts | 76 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks | Five pass breakups, one forced fumble
Honors: Led Notre Dame in tackles (101, 82, 76) from 2021-23
Quotes
General manager Terry Fontenot: "JD Bertrand, Blessed Trinity's finest. We're very excited about him. You talk about a smart, instinctive football player, the character, the makeup. He's a four-down player because what he can do as a run defender, in coverage and also in the kicking game, which is critical.
When we're drafting everybody, we have a vision, have to have a vision for them and how they're going to contribute in that area. We're excited about him contributing in all those areas."
Head coach Raheem Morris: "That guy is the definition of the makeup. Captain America himself is going to be able to come here and contribute in all types of ways, just who he's been and what he's been throughout his career. … I have to brag on him. His process -- for us -- was such a good process. When you talk to him and he talked about his daily rhythm and his routine that he formulated for himself in college in the offseason, I guarantee you he's going to be one of those guys we'll have to come in here and try to pull him back a little bit."
Fontenot, continued: "This guy, he eats, breathes, sleeps football. It's all about football with him. That was so exciting when we spent time with him, sitting down, going through it and talking through the process. Like Raheem said: We're very excited about him."
