The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FALCONS ROSTER OUTLOOK
After the final exhibition game, it’s pretty clear that the Falcons will have some agonizing decisions to make to fill their 53-man roster.
While long-shot prospects hoping to make the Falcons roster will have extended opportunities in the final exhibition game, most of the work has been completed.
The Falcons must be down to 53 players, from 91, at 4 p.m. Sept. 2. They have an
international player exemption for tight end Alex Gray, a developmental player from London.
“It all adds in,” coach Dan Quinn said. “The pressure is hopefully there for everyone and every game you feel it.”
Quinn talks about putting all of the players in stressful situations to see how they’ll perform.
“Playing longer for some guys will all factor in,” Quinn said. “We’re anxious to see them all. We really are.”
Here’s a look at each position group and the players’ chances of making the final roster (the number beside each position listing is the number on the Falcons’ final 53-man roster last season):
QUARTERBACKS (2)
Matt Simms has been getting the bulk of the exhibition-season action. Matt Ryan appears primed to follow up his MVP season, while Matt Schaub has displayed a live arm in practice.
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisan discussed his relationship with Ryan.
“It’s gone really well,” Sarkisian said. “I think Matt and I, again, I’ve said this all
along, for whatever reason, we hit it off really well from the beginning.
“Our conversations are good about football. Our conversation are good about life and I think that’s what a healthy relationship needs to be, coordinator/play caller with your quarterback. It’s gone really well.” Locks (2): Ryan, Schaub
Long shots (2): Simms, Alek Torgersen
RUNNING BACKS (4)
The Falcons are waiting to get two-time Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman back from the NFL’s concussion protocol. The battle is for the third running back spot between Terron Ward and Brian Hill.
If both play well on special teams, the Falcons may be forced to keep them both.
Locks (3): Freeman, Tevin Coleman, FB Derrick Cole- man Bubble (2): Ward, Hill Long shots (3): Kelvin Taylor, Jhurrell Pressley, FB Tyler Renew
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
There are appears to be one spot, maybe two, open.
Reggie Davis has led the Falcons in receiving yards with 117. He is tied for the team lead with Anthony Dable with five catches each. While Davis has impressed, he’s still a long shot.
Locks (4): Julio Jones, Moham e d Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Andre Roberts
Bubble (3): Justin Hardy, Nick Williams, Davis Long shots (6): Josh Magee, Deante Burton, Reginald Davis III, Marvin Hall, Dable and Bra’Lon Cherry
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Second-year man Austin Hooper is set to take over the starting spot. Locks (2): Hooper, Levine Toilolo Bubble (2): Joshua Perkins, Darion Griswold Longshots (2): Eric Saubert, Gray
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)
The battle between Ben Garland and Wes Schweitzer for the vacant right guard spot is going down to the final exhibition game. The Falcons hope that Austin Pasztor can recover from his pectoral injury in time to win the backup swing tackle spot. Locks (7): Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder (tack- les); Andy Levitre, Garland, Schweitzer and Sean Harlow (guards); Alex Mack (center)
Bubble (1): Pasztor (tackle) Long shots (8): Daniel
Brunskill, Will Freeman, Kevin Graf, Andreas Knappe, D.J. Tialavea (tackles); Travis Averill (guard); Cornelius Edison and Larson Graham (centers)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (4 tackles, 5 ends)
Tackle Dontari Poe and end Jack Crawford were added in free agency to bol- ster the group. The team also used its first-round draft pick to select defensive end Tak
karist McKinley.
Poe, Crawford and McKin- ley have had strong exhibition seasons and look like upgrades. Locks (8): Grady Jarrett, Poe, Ra’Shede Hage- man, Crawford (tackles); Brooks Reed, Adrian Clayborn, Courtney Upshaw and McKinley (ends) Bubble (2): Joe Vellano (tackle) and Derrick Shelby (end)
Long shots (4): Taniela Tupou (tackle); J’Terius Jones, Chris Odom and Martin Ifedi (ends)
LINEBACKERS (7)
While Vic Beasley is listed as a linebacker, he plays defensive end in the nickel package. He led the league in sacks with 15.5 last season. Deion Jones is an emerging player at middle linebacker, while there is a battle for the weakside position.
Special teamer LaRoy Reynolds started at the weakside spot in the first two exhibition games, but the Fal
cons are high on third-round pick Duke Riley. Also, Kemal Ishamel has been converted to weakside linebacker from strong safety.
Ishmael filled at linebacker some last season. Riley may have to start out as a reserve.
Last season’s weakside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has been move to strongside linebacker and has played well in the exhibition season. Locks (4): Beasley, Jones, Campbell and Riley Bubble (2): Reynolds and Ishmael Long shots (3): Jack Lynn, Jermaine Grace and Josh Keyes
CORNERBACKS (4)
The Falcons are looking for a fourth cornerback to replace Jalen Collins, who was suspended for 10 games. C.J. Goodwin has been the steadiest of the group, followed by Deji Olatoye.
Locks (3): Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford and Brian Poole Bubble (3): Goodwin, Olatoye, Akeem King
Long shots (4): Bli di Wreh-Wilson, Jarnor Jones, Jordan Moore. (Collins will start the season on the suspended list.)
SAFETIES (5)
The Falcons appear set here if they keep four safeties. They had to keep five
last season because Keanu Neal was coming off a knee surgery. Locks (4): Ricardo Allen, Neal, Damontae Kazee and Sharrod Neasman Long shots (3): Quincy Mauger, Marcelis Branch and Deron Washington
SPECIALISTS (3)
The Falcons appear set here with punter Matt Bosher, kicker Matt Bryant
and long snapper Josh Harris. However, they have been impressed with kicker Mike Meyer. Locks (3): Bryant, Bosher
and Harris Long shot (1): Meyer