The Falcons are in the middle of training camp and will soon play their first preseason game against the Broncos.
Here are our pre-preseason 53-man roster projections.
Quarterbacks: 2
Matt Ryan
Matt Schaub
This one is pretty simple, really. Matt Ryan obviously leads the team with an experienced backup in veteran Matt Schaub.
Running backs: 3
Devonta Freeman
Ito Smith
Qadree Ollison
If the Falcons were to keep a fourth running back, it would be Brian Hill, who would take over starting duties at fullback. However, it appears that tight end Luke Stocker will be the H back. Freeman and Smith provide an interesting one-two punch with Ollison likely to receive the bulk of red zone touches.
Wide receivers: 6
Julio Jones
Mohamed Sanu
Calvin Ridley
Russell Gage
Justin Hardy
Marcus Green
Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Calvin Ridley are guarantees. They’re the core of the offense. However, beyond that, Gage has been impressive, Hardy is experienced in this system, and Marcus Green will likely win the returning duties.
Tight ends: 4
Austin Hooper
Luke Stocker
Logan Paulsen
Eric Saubert
With three game-day tight ends in the lineup, Falcons fans should expect a lot more 12 and 13 personnel. Luke Stocker and Logan Paulsen have great blocking prowess and Hooper is growing into an All-Pro. Also, Saubert has had a great offseason.
Offensive linemen: 9
LT Jake Matthews
LG James Carpenter
C Alex Mack
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Ty Sambrailo
RT Kaleb McGary
LG Jamon Brown
LT Matt Gono
RG Wes Schweitzer
The Falcons drafted two offensive linemen in the first round this year in Lindstrom and McGary. Carpenter and Brown are veteran guard signings that will compete for the left guard spot. Sambrailo will likely start the season at the right tackle spot, depending on the growth of McGary. Gono is the swing tackle and Wes Schweitzer has experience playing interior OL in this system.
Defensive ends/hybrids: 6
Takk McKinley
Vic Beasley
Adrian Clayborn
Ra’Shede Hageman
John Cominsky
Allen Bailey
McKinley has a ton of hype entering this season. Will he crack double digit sacks? This is a prove it year for Beasley. Allen Bailey was the most recent signing. He will likely see starting time in the base package as well as a 5 technique/strong side defensive end. Clayborn, Hageman and Cominsky all have the ability to play outside and kick inside also.
Defensive tackles: 4
Grady Jarrett
Deadrin Senat
Tyeler Davison
Jack Crawford
Grady Jarrett is a phenomenal interior pass rusher. Deadrin Senat is a young guy who can contribute in base packages as well. Davison and Crawford are powerful interior guys who can either generate pressure or defend against the run.
Linebackers: 6
Deion Jones
DeVondre Campbell
Foye Oluokun
Duke Riley
Bruce Carter
Jermaine Grace
For a defense that was in two-linebacker sets 74 percent of the time in 2018, middle linebacker Deion Jones and weak-side linebacker Foye Oluokun have a long year ahead of them. De’Vondre Campbell is a strong-side linebacker who can be a sub defensive end or play in coverage. Duke Riley is a quality special teamer. Bruce Carter is a quality piece to have for a team that is reportedly going to employ a lot more 3-4 looks. Jermaine Grace has experience in the Falcons’ system and provides lots of athletic ability and linebacker depth.
Cornerbacks: 6
Desmond Trufant
Isaiah Oliver
Damontae Kazee
Kendall Sheffield
Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Jordan Miller
Desmond Trufant, Isaiah Oliver and Damontae Kazee are going to be the starting cornerbacks in the nickel. Kendall Sheffield and Jordan Miller are rookies with a lot of physical upside. Blidi Wreh-Wilson has solid experience on the outside, which the team lacks beyond Trufant.
Safeties: 4
FS Ricardo Allen
SS Keanu Neal
SS Kemal Ishmael
FS Sharrod Neasman
Free safety Ricardo Allen and strong safety Keanu Neal are both coming off scary season-ending injuries. With J.J. Wilcox out for the year with a torn ACL, Kemal Ishmael is going to be Neal’s backup and provide inside the box versatility. Neasman will likely be the main backup free safety as he’s gotten second team looks in the team’s training camp program.
Special teams: 3
K Giorgio Tavecchio
P Matt Bosher
LS Josh Harris
It’s definitely weird not seeing Money Matt Bryant on this list anymore. But, Italian Ice is the future.
