Former Dallas Cowboys TE and 3 other veterans highlight Atlanta Falcons try

Rookie minicamp is the first opportunity each team has to see its new first-year players on the field. But it is also sometimes an opportunity for NFL teams to welcome veterans for a tryout.

The Atlanta Falcons host four veterans to practice during rookie minicamp this weekend. Two of those veterans, including former Dallas Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon, appeared in more than 40 NFL games during their careers.

Here are more details on McKeon and the three other veterans aiming to earn a spot in the Falcons’ rookie minicamp.

Sean McKeon, tight end

An undrafted free agent in 2020, McKeon has spent his entire career with the Cowboys. Although he was not drafted, Dallas elected to keep four tight ends on its 2020 roster to avoid having to place McKeon on waivers.

McKeon dressed for 14 games as a rookie, including one start. He did his first NFL reception in Week 10 of his sophomore season.

In 45 games from 2020 to 2023, McKeon caught 6 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys primarily used him as a tight end and return blocker on special teams.

The Falcons are unlikely to use as many double tight end sets in their new offense this season. However, Atlanta allowed a few of its veteran tight ends to exit in free agency this offseason.

In Atlanta, McKeon could compete with Charlie Woerner, John FitzPatrick and undrafted free agent Austin Stogner for a deep tight end role behind Kye Pitts.

Dane Cruikshank, safety

Of the veterans trying out for Falcons rookie minicamp, Cruikshank has the most experience. In six seasons in the NFL, he dressed for 54 games, including 46 games with the Tennessee Titans.

Tennessee drafted Cruikshank in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 44 games with the Titans from 2018-2021, making 65 combined tackles, including 1 tackle for loss. He also had two pass defenses, a forced fumble and an interception.

In 2022, Cruikshank played for the Chicago Bears. With Chicago, he played almost entirely on special teams.

Despite returning to the Titans in 2023, Cruikshank only played in two games. He spent the remainder of the season on Tennessee’s practice squad. He was also a free agent for part of the campaign.

In 2021, he lined up for 414 defensive snaps. However, Cruikshank has played twice as many snaps in his career on special teams as he has on defense.

If he joins the Falcons, Cruikshank will likely compete with safeties Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, Lukas Denis and Tre Tarpley III for special teams snaps.

Bradlee Anae, defensive end

Anae was in the same rookie class as McKeon in Dallas in 2020. The two were teammates for two seasons.

The Cowboys drafted Anae in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. He appeared in 11 games over two seasons, making two combined tackles with a quarterback hit.

Midway through the 2021 season, the Cowboys assigned Anae to their practice squad. He was on the New York Jets’ practice squad in 2022. Last year, he spent the season on injured reserve.

Anae could compete with undrafted free agent Brandon Dorlus at defensive end. But Anae probably won’t have an advantage in the competition. He has not played in an NFL game since October 10, 2021.

David Anenih, outside linebacker

Anenih also played for the Titans, but his tenure at Tennessee did not overlap with Cruikshank’s.

Over the past two years, Anenih spent time on the practice squads of the Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. He was also briefly on the Falcons’ practice squad in late 2022.

Anenih never appeared in an NFL regular season game.

If the Falcons sign him, Anenih could push youngsters DeAngelo Malone and Bralen Trice into the outside linebacker room. But Atlanta’s top four outside linebackers are probably already set (Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, Malone and Trice).