NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft will interview with teams and take part in physical, health and mental tests during the weeklong event. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff will be among the Falcons officials present and participating in press conferences.

March 7

Free-agent negotiating window

At noon, teams can begin contract talks with agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents. No contracts can be finalized until official start of free agency.

March 9

Center Alex Mack, acquired in free agency last offseason, was a key figure in the Falcons' offense. Credit: ccompton@ajc.com Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Free agency starts

4 p.m. marks the official start of the new league year. Teams can begin signing players to new contracts. The Falcons added center Alex Mack and Mohamed Sanu during free agency period last season.

March 26-29

League meetings

Owners and league officials gather in Phoenix for three days of meeting. New rule changes can be addressed. Falcons coach Dan Quinn will likely address media.

April 17

Training can begin

The Falcons' nine-week offseason workout program begins with players able to train at the team's Flowery Branch facilities.

April 18-20

The date of the first official Falcons game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be made public in April. Credit: Atlanta Falcons Credit: Atlanta Falcons

The schedule is released

The Falcons' game schedule for 2017 will be released in the third week of April. Atlanta will play the following opponents in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Carolina Panthers; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; New Orleans Saints; Green Bay Packers; Minnesota Vikings; Buffalo Bills; Miami Dolphins; and Dallas Cowboys. The team will travel to face: Carolina Panthers; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; New Orleans Saints; Chicago Bears; Detroit Lions; New England Patriots; New York Jets; and Seattle Seahawks.

April 21

Restricted free agent offers

Deadline for all restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. The Falcons linebacker Tyler Starr, offensive lineman Ben Garland, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel ($510,000) and defensive back Akeem King as restricted free agents.

April 27-29

The 2016 NFL Draft was held in Chicago. In 2017, it moves to Philadelphia, site of the very first league draft. Credit: Nam Y. Huh Credit: Nam Y. Huh

2017 NFL Draft

The 2017 NFL Draft will be held in Philadelphia. As Super Bowl runners-up, the Falcons hold the 31st overall pick.

May 5-8 or May 12-15

Rookie camps

Under NFL rules, the Falcons have the option to host a three-day rookie minicamp on one of these weekends.

Falcons rookies run drills during the first day of 2016 rookie minicamp at the team's Flowery Branch headquarters. Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Late June

OTAs (Organized team activities)

The Falcons hold a mandatory, three-day minicamp for team veterans.

Late July

Training camp opens

Preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players begins seven days before Falcons veterans are required to report to Flowery Branch. Dates, times remain to be determined.

Of note: The NFL exhibition season opens earlier this season with the annual Hall of Fame Game being played on Thursday, Aug. 3, instead of the traditional Sunday night following the enshrinement ceremony for new Hall of Famers. Former Falcons kicker Morten Andersen is among the 15 finalists to enter the Hall Aug. 5.