Veteran linebacker Paul Worrilow has signed his restricted free agent tender from the Falcons, officially removing him from the free agent market, the team announced today (via Twitter). Worrilow received a second-round tender, worth $2.553MM.
Manning the middle of the Falcons’ defense, Worrilow has been the team’s leading tackler in his first three seasons in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent, who turns 26 in May, has averaged 122 tackles from 2013 to 2015, and grabbed the first two interceptions of his career in 2015.
Still, Pro Football Focus ranked Worrilow 80th out of 97 qualified linebackers, based on the site’s 2015 grades. PFF was particularly hard on Worrilow’s performance as a run defender, grading him a bit higher for his coverage and pass-rush skills. The Falcons recently brought in veteran free agent James Laurinaitis for a visit, so it seems the team is mulling other options at the middle linebacker spot, even after retaining the incumbent MLB.
Worrilow’s $2.5MM+ base salary for 2016 is non-guaranteed, but assuming he plays out the season on the deal, he’ll become eligible for unrestricted free agency next winter.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.