The Falcons will get an early start to the preseason when they play the Broncos in the NFL’s annual Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones won’t be on the field, but both teams have plenty of young talent that can take advantage of some extra playing time.
Here are nine players to keep your eye on when football officially (sort of) resumes on Thursday evening.
1. Kurt Benkert – Falcons QB
Kurt Benkert was an undrafted free agent a year ago, and while he’s still got an uphill battle to earn a spot in this league, his upside was apparent last preseason. Long-term, he could take over for Matt Schaub as Matt Ryan’s primary backup. Benkert will have to show he can pick up things quickly in Dirk Koetter’s new offense.
2. Drew Lock – Broncos QB
Could John Elway have finally found a non-retread at quarterback that can carry the franchise for the next 10-15 years? Well, we probably won’t know this season because the Broncos acquired Joe Flacco in a trade with the Ravens. However, Flacco is not going to play in this one. Kevin Hogan will get the start at quarterback, but second-round pick Drew Lock should see plenty of playing time. He is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in this draft class. Undrafted free agent Brett Rypien is also in the mix for Denver at QB.
3. Kaleb McGary – Falcons OT
McGary is trying to lock down the starting right tackle spot in a competition with veteran Ty Sambrailo. If he’s going to take over for Sambrailo at that position, he needs to get as many game reps as he can between now and the start of the regular season. McGary got ill at practice on Tuesday, so his playing time may be limited.
Update:
The team announced that McGary is undergoing a cardiac procedure on Wednesday afternoon, so obviously he won’t be playing Thursday. McGary is expected to miss 6-8 weeks as he recovers.
4. Noah Fant – Broncos TE
Considered by most scouts to be the second-best tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Broncos acquired pass-catching tight end Noah Fant out of Iowa in the first round. The team no longer has the surplus of weapons it did when Peyton Manning led them to a Super Bowl, so Fant could a have big role in Denver’s offense sooner rather than later.
5. Keanu Neal – Falcons DB
It will be good to see the Falcons’ best defensive back on the field, even if it’s only for a short stint. Neal’s absence last season, along with fellow starting safety Ricardo Allen really hindered Atlanta’s defense. With both healthy again, the unit should be aiming to get back to the top-10 level it reached back in the 2017 season.
6. Dalton Risner – Broncos OL
Risner is a versatile offensive lineman out of Kansas State and was selected just 10 spots after Atlanta picked McGary. Right now, he’s competing for the starting left guard spot. Risner has the ability to line up at multiple positions, though. Denver’s new head coach Vic Fangio has said Risner is going to learn to play offensive tackle, as well.
7. Chris Lindstrom – Falcons G
Atlanta got the best guard in the draft class though when they chose Lindstrom at No. 14 overall. Expect to see a steady dose of the team’s top draft pick in the Hall of Fame Game. Lindstrom has been playing well at training camp and appears to be penciled in to start at right guard.
8. Dre’Mont Jones – Broncos DT
Jones was considered a nice value pick for the Broncos in the third round. His 43 tackles, (13 for a loss), 8.5 sacks and one interception helped him get scouts attention in 2018 and he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the Buckeyes. Jones is currently behind Shelby Harris at nose tackle for the Broncos.
9. Kendall Sheffield – Falcons CB
Sheffield is listed as Desmond Trufant’s first backup at left cornerback but with Trufant unlikely to play much in this particular preseason contest, the fourth-round pick out of Ohio State could get a long look. Sheffield posted two interceptions and 15 pass breakups in two seasons with the Buckeyes.
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