The dead zone is nearly over, as Atlanta Falcons training camp begins on Wednesday, July 29. Things have been mostly quiet since my post-draft roster projection back in May, but a few notable roster moves along with reporting from OTAs and minicamp have adjusted my expectations for the Falcons’ 53-man roster slightly. I also finally got around to watching all the tape from the Browns 2025 offense—you’re welcome—and that changed a few of my assumptions a bit.
There are definitely some notable training
camp battles to watch, with a few starting spots up for grabs. The back end of the roster is likely to be very competitive with an entirely new offensive coaching staff and head coach in the building. Headlining all of this is a truly open competition for QB1 between veteran Tua Tagovailoa and 2024 first-rounder Michael Penix Jr, the outcome of which could significantly alter Atlanta’s plans for this season and beyond.
Let’s dive right in to my latest thoughts on Atlanta’s 2026 53-man roster. The roster projection is also available in both video and audio format, which you can find embedded below. If you enjoyed the written version, consider giving us a click on these platforms as well.
Listen to the audio version of this article using the player below, or find it on your favorite podcast platforms.
Italics denote a change from the previous roster projection.
OFFENSE – 24
Quarterback – 3
Tua Tagovailoa
Michael Penix Jr.
Trevor Siemian
We’ve received little clarity on the quarterback competition through OTAs and minicamp. The hope is that Michael Penix Jr. is ready to return for the start of training camp, and all signs are pointing to that being the plan. For the time being, I’m moving Tua Tagovailoa into the “presumptive starter” spot, simply by virtue of him being the healthiest option at this stage. This will be the biggest and most prominent battle of training camp. Hopefully it’s an exciting duel between two hungry, young QBs looking to prove themselves—and not utterly depressing a la Desmond Ridder vs Marcus Mariota. There’s an outside shot that Jack Strand, with a very impressive camp, could displace Trevor Siemian.
Running Back – 4
Bijan Robinson
Brian Robinson Jr.
Nate Carter
Cash Jones
While 90%+ of the carries and snaps will be handled by the duo of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr., I do think this team may keep four running backs this season. Atlanta may wind up being one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL (for good reason), and having a stable of talent to rotate in and develop over the course of the season is wise. I feel like I’m Nate Carter’s only remaining believer, so I’ll stay on that hill until something notable changes. There’s been enough chatter around Cash Jones to take his roster chances seriously, especially given his special teams prowess.
Tight End – 3
Kyle Pitts
Charlie Woerner
Austin Hooper
After doing a deep dive into the Browns offense, I feel pretty confident that the Falcons will mostly lean on 12 personnel. As a result, keeping a fourth tight end is largely unnecessary. What’s less certain is who emerges as the TE2 alongside Kyle Pitts: the superior blocker in Woerner, or the more well-rounded Hooper? It may be something that changes week-to-week based on the matchup, but it’ll be fascinating to see what this staff values more. Unlike Zac Robinson’s offense, the TE2 will be expected to catch the ball sometimes.
Wide Receiver – 5
Drake London
Jahan Dotson
Zachariah Branch
Olamide Zaccheaus
Chris Blair
I actually feel pretty solid about this wide receiver group. We all know this is not a group that will be ranked highly among the NFL’s best, but that is partially by design. Drake London is the only one from this group who will be heavily targeted—the rest will be role players and specialists. Jahan Dotson has a real opportunity to carve out at least 3-5 targets a game as the WR2 if he can prove himself worthy of that attention, and he’s got the most well-developed route tree of the bunch. Zachariah Branch is the wild card: his yards-after-catch ability and value as a gadget and screen option could lead to him being a lot more involved than expected, especially if the pass protection struggles. Is this finally the year Chris Blair gets on the roster and gets actual playing time? I sure hope so, because this man has more than earned his shot. It helps that he’s one of the only other legitimate outside receivers on the roster with Casey Washington gone.
Offensive Line – 9
LT Jake Matthews
LG Matthew Bergeron
C Ryan Neuzil
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Jawaan Taylor
T Wanya Morris
T Michael Jerrell
G Kyle Hinton
C/G Corey Levin
There’s no sugar-coating it: right tackle is likely to be a sore spot on this offensive line in 2026. Jawaan Taylor is unquestionably a better pass protector than Elijah Wilkinson, but his run blocking is typically very poor. I’m not sure how Atlanta will work around that issue—perhaps Bill Callahan can work some magic with Taylor? Swing tackle is also a total question mark now with Storm Norton out for the season once again. The Falcons brought in Wanya Morris from the Chiefs, who does have plenty of experience on both sides, but struggled when pressed into action. It’s an acknowledgement that the other options on the roster were not up to the task, so at least the team is being proactive about it.
The good news is the other four starting spots are rock solid or better. Jake Matthews remains one of the most consistent left tackles in the NFL, although his ceiling is lower than it once was. Ryan Neuzil once again gets a big vote of confidence from the staff and should continue to grow. Atlanta’s guard tandem could emerge as one of the best in the league, as Matthew Bergeron took a significant step in 2025 and Chris Lindstrom is arguably the best right guard in the NFL. If this line can stay healthy, they should remain very good—even if right tackle is not quite up to par.
DEFENSE – 26
Edge Defender – 5
Jalon Walker
Samson Ebukam
Azeez Ojulari
Cameron Thomas
Bralen Trice
EXEMPT/SUSPENDED: James Pearce Jr.
No significant changes here. I do still expect James Pearce Jr. to begin the year with some kind of suspension, but it’s possible the NFL delays discipline until Pearce completes his program. Perhaps if everything goes well, the league just lets it go? Who knows.
If Pearce is out of the lineup, the rest of the group will need to pick up the slack. Luckily, Atlanta brought in a number of quality veteran options to improve the rotation. I’m still pulling for Bralen Trice—when he’s been on the field, he’s looked promising. But he must stay healthy through camp or it’s probably the end of the road. The special teams prowess and versatility of DeAngelo Malone or the untapped upside of UFL standout Keshawn Banks could also threaten his spot.
Interior Defensive Line – 6
Brandon Dorlus
Zach Harrison
LaCale London
Da’Shawn Hand
Maason Smith
Anterio Thompson
I still really like this interior defensive line and think it could be one of the deepest and best pass rushing units in the league. The run defense is still a big question mark, but the additions of guys of Da’Shawn Hand and maybe Maason Smith should help in that regard. I know many believe another veteran will potentially get a sixth spot here, but I don’t really see the point. That player will be inactive the vast majority of the time. Atlanta drafted Anterio Thompson to develop him, and he’s a good special teams player. I think they’ll try to stash him on the roster as long as possible—though injuries could force their hand and eventually move him to the practice squad.
Linebacker – 5
Divine Deablo
Christian Harris
Kendal Daniels
Harold Perkins Jr.
Troy Andersen
This will be a very different linebacker corps in 2026. The loss of Kaden Elliss is significant, but in some ways he was not a great fit for Jeff Ulbrich’s defense. Adding a starter with more range and coverage ability, like Christian Harris, could result in a better overall defense despite the loss of Elliss’ pass rush ability. The issue with Harris (and Divine Deablo, to some extent) is that he has struggled with injuries at times. That makes the depth behind the starters all the more important, and the Falcons invested a lot in improving this room. Two rookies in Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. give the team some intriguing young options, while a possible return for the Most Interesting Man in Troy Andersen gives them an athletic veteran.
Cornerback – 6
A.J. Terrell
Avieon Terrell
Mike Hughes
Natrone Brooks
C.J. Henderson
Cobee Bryant
PUP: Billy Bowman Jr.
There’s still a lot of speculation about where rookie Avieon Terrell ultimately plays this season: in the slot, or out wide? We don’t have any answers on that front yet, but either way, the Falcons have options. Billy Bowman Jr. has yet to return from his midseason Achilles injury, and I believe he’ll start training camp (and possibly finish it) on PUP. It’s possible he’s healthy enough to return before the end of the preseason, but the team may want to keep him there for roster reasons.
I think to put the best three corners on the field, Atlanta would be wise to have A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes outside with Avieon Terrell in the slot. So for now, that’s my assumption. We’ll see if that changes. Natrone Brooks really struggled when asked to play outside last season, but he’s been a good slot option and is a solid special teams contributor. At least five corners are competing for the final two roster spots. C.J. Henderson acquitted himself well at the end of 2025, and his size, athleticism, and experience make him an ideal backup on the outside. I’m still partial to Cobee Bryant at this juncture. He survived a tough rookie season and should only grow from here, and he’s got the most long-term upside of the bunch.
Safety – 4
Jessie Bates III
Xavier Watts
Sydney Brown
Jammie Robinson
The Falcons only have five safeties on the roster, so the team clearly feels pretty confident in the group they’ve assembled. Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts should challenge for the title of “best safety duo in the NFL”. Sydney Brown likely mixes in as the third safety in certain packages, but is capable of playing free, box, or slot defender roles. Jammie Robinson came in and immediately carved out a special teams role late last season, but his flexibility as a box safety and slot defender make him stand out in a crowded secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K Nick Folk
P Jake Bailey
LS Liam McCullough
RETURNERS
KR Zachariah Branch/Olamide Zaccheaus
PR Zachariah Branch
The Falcons will be featuring an all-new special teams unit (outside of long snapper Liam McCullough), with the hopes that the kicking game will no longer cost them winnable games. Nick Folk has been the NFL’s most accurate kicker over the past three seasons, but who knows how long that can continue now that he’s entering his age 42 season. Perhaps for quite awhile, or perhaps not. Jake Bailey has some outstanding years as a punter under his belt, but was largely average with the Dolphins over the past few seasons. I’m not sure he’s an upgrade over Bradley Pinion, but time will tell. Zachariah Branch should hopefully provide a significant upgrade to the Falcons return game, with Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson offering some ability as well.
PRACTICE SQUAD – 16
QB Jack Strand
RB Tyler Goodson
WR Vinny Anthony II
WR Antwane Wells Jr.
TE Josh Simon
T Jack Nelson
G/T Ethan Onianwa
C James Brockermeyer
EDGE/LB DeAngelo Malone
DT Chris Williams
DT Ross Blacklock
LB Channing Tindall
LB Malik Verdon
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Mike Ford Jr.
S DeMarcco Hellams
What are your thoughts on this potential roster for the Falcons? Any changes you’d make?
