Projecting the Falcons final roster and practice squad

The final preseason game is behind us, and it’s time for the Atlanta Falcons to set their initial 53-man roster.

After sifting through three pretty ugly preseason games and a whole lot of training camp notes, I’m here to bring you my last, best attempt at projecting Atlanta’s roster and practice squad. In years past, I’ve typically averaged around 50 correct spots out of 53, but there are always a few unexpected surprises or injury designations. Still, it’s a fun exercise, and one last chance to talk

about this group of NFL hopefuls as they fight for their shot in the league.

This year’s 53 is pretty competitive, particularly at wide receiver. I legitimately think the Falcons could have someone claimed from that group, whether it’s Nick Nash or Chris Blair. I’m hoping Atlanta can find a way to keep Nash, but the math is difficult on that one. Safety, and to a lesser extent, cornerback are also quite crowded. We could see a few notable cuts from both groups by the time the dust clears on Tuesday.

The initial 53-man roster must be set by Tuesday afternoon, and the practice squad can be established beginning on Wednesday. I would caution you that just because a player makes the initial 53, doesn’t mean that they’re safe. This year in particular, we’re likely to see the Falcons looking long and hard at adding an offensive tackle, center, linebacker, and/or return specialist among the hundreds of players who will be waived.

Without further adieu, let’s get to it.

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Italics denote a change from the previous roster projection.

OFFENSE – 24

Quarterback – 3

Michael Penix Jr.
Kirk Cousins
Easton Stick

We didn’t see any of Michael Penix Jr. or Kirk Cousins in the preseason, but that doesn’t change anything. Penix is your starter and Cousins is your backup—until a desperate QB-needy team comes calling for him. Atlanta’s asking price for Cousins reportedly remains incredibly high, so the team seems content to wait for the right offer. Meanwhile, there wasn’t really much of a competition for QB3. Easton Stick had a great Week 1, bad Week 2, and an up-and-down Week 3. His biggest issue seems to be reading defenses over the middle, as he repeatedly threw passes straight to linebackers. Obviously he’s got to clean that up, but for now, he’s the emergency backup.

Running Back – 3

Bijan Robinson
Tyler Allgeier
Nate Carter

Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are 100% roster locks, not much else to add there. With Carlos Washington Jr. missing the entirety of the preseason and most of training camp, he appears to have been usurped by electric UDFA Nate Carter. Carter is an outstanding athlete who showcased better-than-expected vision and patience, and was clearly the best of the UDFAs the Falcons brought in. He’ll be an intriguing complement to the two runners ahead of him, and I think he’ll factor in on returns sooner than later.

Tight End – 3

Kyle Pitts
Charlie Woerner
Teagan Quitoriano

This group was locked up just a few weeks into training camp. I’m glad Teagan Quitoriano made through camp and preseason healthy, as that’s been his biggest issue thus far. He could be a real contributor in both the blocking and passing game for Atlanta as a plus TE3 with potential future TE2 upside. Feleipe Franks did make things a little interesting with his performance in the final game, but he’s likely ticketed to the practice squad.

Wide Receiver – 7

Drake London
Darnell Mooney
Ray-Ray McCloud
KhaDarel Hodge
Casey Washington
David Sills
Jamal Agnew

The top four spots on this list are completely locked up. Based on what we’ve seen thus far in the preseason and playtime in the final game, it appears that both Casey Washington and David Sills have won spots on the 53-man roster. Washington has stepped in for Darnell Mooney during his injury and appears to have outstanding chemistry with Michael Penix. Sills, meanwhile, has terrific chemistry with Kirk Cousins and looks like a logical Drake London backup.

The bigger question comes with Jamal Agnew, who has missed significant preseason and training camp time with an injury. He’s the toughest to figure out, since we’ve barely seen him. There’s not really another legitimate punt returner on the roster. I think it’s possible the team carries him through initial cuts to place him on short-term IR, if his injury requires it. But I think Agnew’s roster chances are probably 50/50 at best. If Agnew doesn’t make the roster, it’s possible Nick Nash or Chris Blair squeeze in here instead. A return specialist could also be targeted on the waiver wire if Agnew is cut or will miss significant time with his injury.

Offensive Line – 8

LT Jake Matthews
LG Matthew Bergeron
C Ryan Neuzil
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Elijah Wilkinson

G Kyle Hinton
C Jovaughn Gwyn
OT Brandon Parker

IR: OT Kaleb McGary
IR: OT Storm Norton

Given what we’ve heard about the nature of Kaleb McGary and Storm Norton’s injuries, I suspect the Falcons will use their two new IR designations to place both on short-term IR at final cutdowns. What this means is that neither will count towards the roster and bypass the traditional decision of either placing them on season-ending IR, or going the waived/injured route and risking someone else making a claim. Losing both players heading into Week 1 is horrific timing, but this new rule does open up two additional roster spots for Atlanta.

Elijah Wilkinson seems to the new right tackle, at least for the moment. I suspect the team will keep Brandon Parker on the roster as the swing tackle. The two interior depth spots seem to be held tightly by Kyle Hinton and Jovaughn Gwyn, though Gwyn in particular doesn’t fill me with confidence. I do think Atlanta eventually keeps nine offensive linemen, but that final spot will go to the best waiver claim (or player acquired via trade) that the Falcons can get their hands on. Rookie Jack Nelson is simply not ready at this stage, he’ll need to go down to the practice squad for at least a season.

DEFENSE – 26

Edge Defender – 6

Arnold Ebiketie
Leonard Floyd
Jalon Walker
James Pearce Jr.
Khalid Kareem
Bralen Trice

I feel good about my initial predictions here and am sticking with this group of six. Both Khalid Kareem and Bralen Trice further entrenched themselves as strong roster candidates through the preseason. This looks like the strongest edge rotation the Falcons have had in years, and I’m excited to see how it translates to real game action.

Interior Defensive Line – 6

David Onyemata
Ruke Orhorhoro
Brandon Dorlus
Zach Harrison
Morgan Fox
Ta’Quon Graham

This group is a little dicey due to some injuries, but the top five names here are all pretty likely to make the team. Particular shout out here to Brandon Dorlus, who rocketed up the depth chart over the course of preseason. Morgan Fox appears to be in the most precarious position, but I don’t see anyone else I’d put ahead of him at this time.

I do like what we saw from Ta’Quon Graham, but his injury clouds things. Either way, I expect the Falcons to look long and hard for a traditional nose tackle on the waiver wire. One of the biggest issues in the preseason has been the team’s inconsistency against the run, particularly up the middle. Maybe David Onyemata can provide that presence, but the team would be wise to secure a true space-eater for the physical rushing attacks they will face throughout the season. Zion Logue reunion anyone?!

Linebacker – 4

Kaden Elliss
Divine Deablo
Caleb Johnson
Josh Woods

PUP: Troy Andersen

Before getting into this group, it’s important to clarify Troy Andersen’s status: if the team doesn’t active him off PUP (Physically Unable to Perform), then he will remain on PUP going into the season. This works similar to short-term IR, and he must remain out for at least four weeks. I assume this is the path the team will take, since he hasn’t returned to practice yet.

We know the top two options in Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo, but the depth spots behind them appear completely up for grabs. Going just off we’ve seen in training camp and preseason, I think the two veterans have won the jobs. Caleb Johnson seemed to take hold of LB3 early in camp and never let it go, while Josh Woods has been the biggest standout during the preseason. Both are also excellent special teams players, which is a big boost to their roster chances. Unfortunately, I think JD Bertrand is likely to be cut and sent down to the practice squad. He just hasn’t made the impact you need to see.

Cornerback – 6

A.J. Terrell
Mike Hughes
Dee Alford
Natrone Brooks
Billy Bowman Jr.
CJ Henderson

Cornerback is definitely the most difficult to figure out spot on the roster. I do feel pretty good about the top five players on this list. The only one that may be in jeopardy is Dee Alford, but I don’t think there’s a compelling option to displace him—particularly with Clark Phillips’ injury. Natrone Brooks has been a very pleasant surprise, and Billy Bowman Jr. was actually held out of the final preseason game. I’ll be curious to hear who has been named the starter at nickel, as it could be Alford, Brooks, or Bowman going into Week 1.

The sixth spot is completely up for grabs, which actually gives veteran CJ Henderson an excellent shot. We haven’t seen a whole lot of Henderson, but he’s got the most experience and the most talent of everyone else fighting for this spot. Jerry Gray loves a first-round reclamation project, and Henderson might be the best one yet. So I think Atlanta goes with the veteran, sending a number of intriguing prospects down to the practice squad.

Safety – 4

Jessie Bates III
Xavier Watts
Jordan Fuller
DeMarcco Hellams

This room was locked up before the preseason even started. I think this is the most well-rounded and talented group on the entire defense, and feel pretty confident in all of these players if they’re needed on gameday. My guess is still that Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts start Week 1, but Fuller and Hellams could both factor in for certain packages or big nickel looks.

SPECIAL TEAMS – 3

K Younghoe Koo

P Bradley Pinion

LS Liam McCullough

RETURNERS

KR Jamal Agnew/Ray-Ray McCloud

PR Jamal Agnew

Younghoe Koo shook my confidence slightly with a missed 51-yarder during the final preseason game, but there’s no question he’s outplayed Lenny Krieg overall. Krieg has a cannon, but is far too inconsistent to be relied upon in a game at this stage. The rest of these spots are relatively locked up, assuming Jamal Agnew will be healthy for Week 1. If not, punt returner is up for grabs. I guess it would be Ray-Ray McCloud? Who knows.

PRACTICE SQUAD – 16*

QB Ben DiNucci
RB Jashaun Corbin
WR Chris Blair
WR Nick Nash
TE Feleipe Franks
T Jack Nelson
G Joshua Gray
C Jake Hanson
EDGE Ronnie Perkins
EDGE/LB DeAngelo Malone
DT Kentavius Street
LB JD Bertrand
CB Clark Phillips III
CB Lamar Jackson
CB Cobee Bryant
DB Josh Thompson
*K Lenny Krieg (International Player Pathway)