Falcons bolster offense by picking RB Smith, WR Gage

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons have bolstered their offensive depth by selecting running back Ito Smith and wide receiver Russell Gage in the NFL draft.

The Falcons traded two seventh-round picks to the Rams for the sixth-round selection used for Gage. Atlanta closed its draft by selecting Yale linebacker Foye Oluokun later in the sixth round.

Smith, a fourth-round pick from Southern Mississippi, is expected to back up Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The Falcons did not re-sign Terron Ward, who was the team's No. 3 running back in 2017.

Gage, from Louisiana State, was Atlanta's second receiver of the draft. The Falcons chose Alabama's Calvin Ridley in the first round on Thursday night.

The focus shifted back to defense on the draft's second day, when Atlanta picked Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver and South Florida defensive tackle Deadrin Senat.

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