Falcons football is back! A highly anticipated season kicks off tonight as Atlanta takes on the Dolphins in Miami in the first preseason game of the 2024 campaign. Though we aren’t expected to see all of the starters, we should see some of them. Here are three burning questions I have for the Falcons ahead of tonight’s exhibition contest.

Who will separate themselves in the secondary?

The Falcons have two solidified starters in Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell in the secondary. Though Richie Grant, Mike Hughes, and Dee Alford have taken a majority of the snaps with the first-team defense, their spots shouldn’t be set in stone. Hughes and Alford should be competing with Antonio Hamilton and Clark Phillips, while Grant should still be in competition with DeMarcco Hellams. Someone will need to separate themselves from the pack in order for me to come around on this secondary.

Will these draft picks survive the preseason?

Several Falcons draft picks are fighting for roster spots. From the 2021 class, Ta’Quon Graham and Avery Willams are on the roster bubble. The former has a much better chance than the latter, but Graham is in a crowded defensive line room and could be seen as expendable. As for Williams, the Rondale Moore injury may have opened a roster spot for him. Not at running back because Moore is a receiver, but on special teams as a returner. Ray-Ray McCloud III will likely be the main return man, but Williams is a capable secondary option with Moore sidelined.

From the 2022 class, John FitzPatrick and DeAngelo Malone could be on the outside looking in right now. The Falcons’ tight end room is going to be slimmer under Raheem Morris than Arthur Smith. With Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner in the fold, there’s probably one spot on the roster, and FitzPatrick has had a rough go of it this training camp. Malone, on the other hand, should be able to make the roster based on numbers alone, but the Falcons currently have him slotted as the fourth-string outside linebacker. We will certainly be paying attention to these four draft picks.

Whatcha got, Michael Penix?

The most exciting aspect of the Falcons’ preseason is Michael Penix, and it’s not particularly close. The 8th overall pick is expected to play tonight, and he should get every snap until the third-string offensive line comes into the ball game. Though he won’t be throwing to Kyle Pitts and Drake London, Michael Penix in any live action will be must-watch TV for Falcons fans. We get our first look at the future of this franchise tonight.

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Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire