The Falcons wrapped up their major offseason moves, with free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft behind us. While there are likely to be a few veteran additions sprinkled over the next few months, they aren’t likely to be earth-shattering maneuvers. For better or worse, Atlanta seems to be moving forward with a conservative, future-focused approach. Which, for the record, I agree with wholeheartedly.
Despite the quieter approach to team-building to kick off the new regime, I think Atlanta has made significant
strides in improving the depth and overall quality of the roster. While the starting talent has taken a step back, the roster itself is likely to be a lot more well-rounded. Whether this results in success or failure in the win column remains to be seen.
All that being said, it’s time to take my first shot at predicting the Falcons eventual 53-man roster. As you’ll see below, some position groups have gone through pretty drastic transformations this offseason. Others have remained largely intact with one or two key additions. My initial takeaway is that I like the overall look of this team even if their ceiling is probably capped more than in previous seasons.
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Italics denote a change from the previous roster projection.
OFFENSE – 24
Quarterback – 3
Michael Penix Jr.
Tua Tagovailoa
Trevor Siemian
The Falcons will be engaging in a full-on quarterback competition this summer. Much depends on Michael Penix Jr.’s health and return to play timeline heading into his third season. I think Penix still has a strong chance to win the job, and the team would probably prefer that outcome. It’s in everyone’s best interest to see Penix play, whether he ends up looking good or bad. If Penix isn’t healthy in time for training camp, it’ll be tough to for him to overtake veteran Tua Tagovailoa. Tua is a high-variance quarterback but has certainly put together some strong seasons, and it’s entirely possible he outplays Penix this summer and wins the job outright.
While I’m intrigued by UDFA addition Jack Strand, he’s very much a developmental project. I can’t really see him overtaking steady veteran Trevor Siemian without a legendary training camp and preseason performance.
Running Back – 3
Bijan Robinson
Brian Robinson Jr.
Nate Carter
I think the Falcons will continue with a light running back room in 2026 despite the coaching changes. Bijan Robinson dominates touches to such a degree that a even the RB3 is unlikely to get snaps on a weekly basis. Brian Robinson Jr. is a solid Tyler Allgeier replacement who can handle a similar role, although I’m not expecting him to be quite as effective. I still believe in Nate Carter, who brings a speed element to Atlanta’s run game that the rest of the group lacks. He’ll face stiff competition from veteran Tyler Goodson, former UDFA Carlos Washington Jr., and new UDFA Cash Jones.
Tight End – 4
Kyle Pitts
Charlie Woerner
Austin Hooper
Brandon Frazier
Editor’s Note: This roster projection was written prior to a series of roster moves. I’m leaving in my thoughts on TE Brandon Frazier so you can all enjoy how wrong I was.
Atlanta kept their top two tight ends from 2025, with a long-term extension possibly looming for Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner retained despite a high salary cost. The team also brought back Austin Hooper, who can provide a veteran presence with solid blocking and receiving in 13 personnel. I’m guessing blocking will be a bigger emphasis with this coaching staff, and UDFA Brandon Frazier could stake his claim to the roster with a strong training camp performance.
Wide Receiver – 5
Drake London
Jahan Dotson
Zachariah Branch
Olamide Zaccheaus
Chris Blair
With tight end likely to have a larger presence, I expect Atlanta’s wide receivers to take on a lesser role overall. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Falcons utilize only two receivers on a majority of snaps. That makes sense, as this is the weakest position group on the entire offense. Drake London will continue to be the top target in the passing game, but the rest of this group is full of question marks. Jahan Dotson is likely to handle WR2 duties and will mostly play on the outside, while Zachariah Branch and Olamide Zaccheaus will compete for slot snaps. Is this finally the year where Chris Blair earns a role? He’s had the most impressive training camp/preseason for the past two seasons, only to be relegated to the practice squad behind several questionable contributors.
Offensive Line – 9
LT Jake Matthews
LG Matthew Bergeron
C Ryan Neuzil
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Jawaan Taylor
T Storm Norton
T Michael Jerrell
G Kyle Hinton
C/G Corey Levin
The Falcons lost a major cornerstone on the offensive line with Kaleb McGary’s retirement. He was never the most consistent pass protector, but his run blocking was a massive boon on the right side. Jawaan Taylor is the opposite—a steady pass protector who fails to make an impact in the run game. I hope Bill Callahan can do something to fix those issues. The rest of the starting offensive line remains unchanged and should continue to be one of the better units in the NFL.
The depth improved slightly with the addition of Corey Levin as an experienced interior backup. Kyle Hinton remains one of the better reserve guards in the league, while Michael Jerrell sticks around as an intriguing developmental tackle. There’s opportunity here for rookie Ethan Onianwa or UDFA Riley Mahlman to snag the final spot, but it would require an impressive training camp and preseason.
DEFENSE – 26
Edge Defender – 5
Jalon Walker
Samson Ebukam
Azeez Ojulari
Cameron Thomas
Bralen Trice
EXEMPT: James Pearce Jr.
Edge rusher is one of two positions on defense that received a massive makeover in 2026. In this room, it’s partially due to the impending suspension of James Pearce Jr. The baseline is likely to be six games, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s +/- 2 games either way when the dust clears. Either way, Pearce won’t be on the initial 53-man roster. Jalon Walker returns as the headliner of the group, and will hopefully continue to develop into a star.
Atlanta made largely lateral moves with the rest of the group, but managed to save significant cap space in the process. Samson Ebukam replaces Leonard Floyd for a fraction of the price, and likely offers better run support. Azeez Ojulari steps in for Arnold Ebiketie as a pass rush specialist and pressure creator. Cameron Thomas brings a bigger, physical presence to the defensive line, and is likely to be the primary base package edge rusher across from Walker. I’m not ready to give up on former third-round pick Bralen Trice just yet—when he’s been on the field, he’s made an impact. But this is likely his last chance, and he must stay healthy through training camp and the preseason.
Interior Defensive Line – 6
Brandon Dorlus
Zach Harrison
LaCale London
Da’Shawn Hand
Maason Smith
Anterio Thompson
By far the most underrated position group on Atlanta’s roster, the starting trio of Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, and LaCale London might have the claim to being one of the best pass rushing interior defensive lines in the league. Where they struggled last season was in run defense, and the addition of veteran Da’Shawn Hand should help in that regard. I’m not sure what to expect from Maason Smith, who Atlanta received in a player swap trade with Ruke Orhorhoro. There’s been plenty of talk about him playing nose tackle, but he’s inexperienced in that role and hasn’t been a consistent run defender. Rookie Anterio Thompson should make it to the roster thanks to his upside and special teams ability, but he does need to show something in training camp.
Linebacker – 5
Divine Deablo
Christian Harris
Kendal Daniels
Harold Perkins Jr.
Troy Andersen
Without a doubt the position with the most turnover this offseason, linebacker is likely to look completely different outside of starter Divine Deablo. Deablo was a revelation in 2025, a perfect fit in Jeff Ulbrich’s defense and a massive boost in coverage and run defense. He’ll be the headliner of a completely reworked linebacker corps in 2026. The Falcons lost stalwart veteran Kaden Elliss in free agency, and his loss looms largest on the entire defense. Veteran Christian Harris comes over from the Texans and is the early favorite to start next to Deablo—his coverage ability and experience give him an easy path to the field.
Atlanta added two rookie linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft, and both figure to carve out immediate roles. Kendal Daniels is the most intriguing as a converted safety with the size of a thumping middle linebacker. I’m not sure how quickly he’ll earn defensive snaps, but his upside and versatility could lead to an immediate rotational role. Harold Perkins Jr. is a blitzing specialist who may be relegated to a sub-package and special teams role as a rookie, but has starting upside if he can learn how to maximize his athletic gifts in coverage. The fifth spot is entirely up for grabs, and I’m hoping Troy Andersen is finally able to get back on the field.
Cornerback – 6
A.J. Terrell
Avieon Terrell
Mike Hughes
Billy Bowman Jr.
Natrone Brooks
Cobee Bryant
Atlanta’s secondary got a big boost with the addition of Avieon Terrell at the top of the draft. Whether he starts his career outside or in the slot, he’ll be an upgrade in both coverage and run defense. A.J. Terrell will continue to be the team’s top cover man and should handle the toughest assignments every week. This is likely to be the final season with the Falcons for veteran Mike Hughes, thanks to significant cap savings in 2027. That being said, Hughes is a solid starter and has experience both outside and inside. I’d expect him to be a significant part of the secondary once again in 2026.
Billy Bowman Jr. is a bit of a wild card due to his recovery timeline. If he’s healthy, he could potentially reclaim his spot as the starting slot corner going into Week 1. More realistically, the team may ramp him up gradually or potentially even start his season on PUP. The final spots are a total battle royale, with a number of intriguing candidates to consider. My money would be on Natrone Brooks, who the team made a point of re-signing, as a primary depth piece thanks to his special teams ability and inside/outside experience. 2025 UDFA Cobee Bryant stuck around all season and even got a little playing time, and I think the team would like to see him take a step forward this summer and cement himself on the roster. Clark Phillips III, CJ Henderson, and Mike Ford Jr. are all also in contention here. This is likely to be the fiercest position battle on the roster.
Safety – 4
Jessie Bates III
Xavier Watts
Sydney Brown
DeMarcco Hellams
One position we can all take solace in is safety, with the Falcons boasting one of the best duos in the NFL. Jessie Bates III didn’t quite have the spectacular season we were hoping for in 2025, but is still one of the league’s most consistent playmakers. Xavier Watts had a defensive rookie of the year-caliber season and should continue to grow. There’s still room for this duo to continue to ascend in 2026. Meanwhile, Atlanta executed a small trade-down in the draft to acquire Sydney Brown from the Eagles. Brown is a reliable safety with a lot of starting experience and tremendous special teams capability. The final spot will be down to hard-hitting DeMarcco Hellams and versatile Jammie Robinson. Given the team’s issues in run defense, I’m thinking the Falcons will go with the enforcer in Hellams on the 53-man roster.
SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K Nick Folk
P Jake Bailey
LS Liam McCullough
RETURNERS
KR Zachariah Branch/Olamide Zaccheaus
PR Zachariah Branch
The Falcons completely reworked their special teams unit outside of stalwart long snapper, Liam “The Highlander” McCullough. After a calamitous season at kicker, the team elected to let Zane Gonzalez—who performed well after arriving midseason—walk in free agency. In his place, Atlanta brought in veteran Nick Folk, who has been among the most accurate and consistent kickers in the league over the past few seasons. Veteran Bradley Pinion was also allowed to walk, with the team bringing in former Dolphins punter Jake Bailey in his place.
At returner, where Atlanta had languished over the past few seasons, there was a concerted effort to bring in significant improvements and competition. Rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch is the heavy favorite to win the punt and kick return jobs thanks to his elite speed and movement skills. Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus has a lot of experience and can also factor in. Other options could be receivers Jahan Dotson and Deven Thompkins, running backs Nate Carter and Tyler Goodson, and cornerback Natrone Brooks.
PRACTICE SQUAD – 16
QB Jack Strand
WR/RB Cash Jones
WR Casey Washington
WR Vinny Anthony II
TE Josh Simon
T Jack Nelson
G/T Ethan Onianwa
C James Brockermeyer
EDGE/LB DeAngelo Malone
DT Chris Williams
DT Elijah Garcia
LB Channing Tindall
LB Malik Verdon
CB Clark Phillips III
CB CJ Henderson
DB Jammie Robinson
What are your thoughts on this potential roster for the Falcons? Any changes you’d make?
