We’re several days into training camp, and closer to the season. One’s mind can’t help but drift toward what this team will look like in September, after the cutdown deadline and what we hope is a healthy, productive August.
With the team still shaky on depth at a handful of positions—we are nervously looking at you, right tackle—could they make an unexpected veteran addition? Or is there an expected contributor who might get the axe at a deep spot? Tre’Shon Diaz, Saivion Mixson, and Dave Choate give
their takes. We’re then looking for yours, as always.
Add: Stefon Diggs
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ruined the surprise a bit, but I still believe, with everything surrounding James Pearce, Jr., picking up Stefon Diggs would be a shock to the majority of Falcons fans.
But I can’t rule it out. Diggs, at this stage of his career, does give either Penix or Tagovailoa a security blanket on passing downs, not to mention another veteran that can help maximize Zachariah Branch’s ability in space. The allegations and bad press may have knocked his price tag down to a point where Kevin Stefanski, who worked with Diggs for five seasons, could pull the trigger. —Saivion Mixson
Cut: Cameron Thomas
While Thomas was just signed this offseason, his contract is structured in a way that doesn’t indicate he has a guaranteed spot. Last season, the team made a similar deal with DE Morgan Fox, who became a surprise cut himself, and I could see the same happening to Thomas.
The Falcons DE/EDGE room is crowded; the team has formed a competitive room with a mix of young and veteran talent, and Thomas’s path to play time is already hampered by his lack of pass rush ability. If James Pearce Jr. is able to start the season without a suspension, then I could see Thomas being the odd man out by the end of camp. —Tre’Shon Diaz
Add: Jack Conklin
The pieces fit together pretty neatly here. The Falcons currently have a tackle problem, in that both Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris are dealing with injuries, and everyone behind them is fairly inexperienced. This is a team that may want more insurance heading into the season.
Conklin is not renowned for his durability, either, but he spent four years as a starting tackle with Bill Callahan in Cleveland and was a quality right tackle during that stretch. The Browns cut ties with him this offseason and he has yet to find a home, but joining an Atlanta team with Callahan and a lot of uncertainty at tackle makes a lot of sense if another team isn’t willing to give him a clear-cut starting job. I suspect no team will. —Dave Choate
