Falcons plan to tender WR Gabriel


Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrates the touchdown with wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrates the touchdown with wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to place the second-round tender on restricted free agent wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.

According to a Friday report by ESPN.com, the tender on Gabriel is worth $2.81 million. Gabriel is guaranteed to make at least that much in 2017 and if he plays under the tender, he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2018.

Another team would have to give up a second-rounder to land Gabriel, who entered the league with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 as an undrafted rookie free agent.

The Falcons also can work out a longer-term deal with the 26-year-old Gabriel, who told ESPN he wants to be a “Falcon forever.”

Gabriel came to Atlanta last March on a one-year, $600,000 deal after two seasons as a backup with the Browns. In 2016, he caught 35 passes for 579 yards in 13 games and led the Falcons with six touchdown catches.