Former Oregon Duck defensive end Brandon Dorlus was drafted No. 109 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fresh off his best season yet, Atlanta could have just gotten a draft steal.

There was a generous sentiment that Dorlus should have gotten more buzz during the draft process. 

The 6-foot-3,  283-pound Dorlus ran the 40 in a killer 4.85 seconds at the NFL Combine. His time was second among DL only to Florida State’s Branden Fiske. 

FIT WITH ATLANTA

Physical and forceful, Dorlus played everywhere on the defensive line for Oregon. His versatility will play well in the NFL, which loves a hybrid player. Dorlus naturally fits as a power end in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, though teams might consider having him bulk up to assume a full-time role as a 3-technique.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On Friday legendary Atlanta hip-hop producer Rico Wade was laid to rest. The music icon died at age 52 earlier this month.

A private service was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, led by Rev. Raphael Warnock.

“In a real sense his music has been a part of the soundtrack of our lives. And while I’m the pastor of this church and a Senator from Georgia, we are roughly the same age. He’s a couple years younger than me, so to see someone like him come from where he came from, telling the stories of kids like him, I think is so important,” Rev. Warnock said.

Wade was a trailblazing and innovative musical talent known for discovering hip-hop duo OutKast and helping launch the careers of artists like TLC and Goodie Mob. He was also a founding member of The Dungeon Family, an Atlanta-based music collective made up of famous hip hop, funk, and soul artists.

“I grew up with him all through the music and all that, so I’m going to miss him a whole lot. He’s been a very big influence on hip hop in Atlanta,” Gregory Gibbs said.

“Just to be here on the day he marks his ending on the earth, just you know, his blessings will still outpour on others,” Mekisha Smith said.

After the service, Wade’s casket was loaded into a horse-drawn carriage and driven through his hometown streets. Atlanta rappers Killer Miker, 2 Chainz, and T.I. were all in attendance.

“It takes a great spirit, a person with a generous heart to summon this crowd to one place at one time,” Rev. Warnock said.

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With the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select… Bijan Robinson! Terry Fontenot, Arthur Smith and the Atlanta front office staff put together the newest Falcons draft class. Get an exclusive look at how this rookie class came together as we follow along every pick in episode two of On the Rise.