The Atlanta Falcons picked up safety Shann Schillinger in the sixth round with the 171st pick and wide receiver/return specialist Marc Mariani went in the seventh round to the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 222.
Schillinger will join a team that already includes former Montana defensive end Kroy Biermann, one of two Grizzlies chosen in the 2008 draft along with Miami Dolphins running back Lex Hilliard. Schillinger, a two-year starter at Montana, ranks 20th in career tackles.
A Baker, Mont. native, Schillinger was the second pick of the sixth round and heard his name called seven spots higher than 2009 Buck Buchanan Award winner Arthur Moats of James Madison. Moats won the award for best defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision last season at defensive end.
Mariani led the national championship runners-up last year with 80 catches for 1,479 yards and 13 scores. The Havre native leaves the school with several receiving records, including yards and touchdowns.
Joining Mariani with the Titans is former Griz tight end Steven Pfahler from Frenchtown, who signed a free agent contract with the team shortly after the draft. Elsewhere, offensive tackle Levi Horn became a free agent signee, inking with the Chicago Bears.
With the exception of Horn, who hails from Spokane, Wash., the other three former Griz players all come from Montana. That makes eight Montana-born Grizzlies who have transitioned to the pros in the last three NFL off seasons.
In the 2008 off season, the NFL picked up Hilliard, from Kalispell, Biermann, from Hardin, and kicker Dan Carpenter of Helena. The next year, safety Colt Anderson from Butte and Colin Dow from Billings both signed with NFL teams, though Dow was cut before the season.