The Falcons are in a transition year, and a lot of different faces are in Atlanta following the Matt Ryan era. They have some interesting playmakers on offense, but they’re going to have to make some tough cuts at certain positions, namely wide receiver and running back. We already said goodbye to one player that I predicted would make the roster. There could also be surprise cut candidates like Jalen Mayfield or Germain Ifedi. Following their recent roster moves, let’s take a look at my updated predictions for the 53-man roster:
Falcons make flurry of roster moves ahead of preseason finale https://t.co/D5ENqRfwuG
— SportsTalkATL.com (@SportsTalkATL) August 23, 2022
Be on the lookout for the defense coming tomorrow:
Quarterback
QB1 Marcus Mariota
QB2 Desmond Ridder
The main difference here is I no longer have Feleipe Franks listed at quarterback. I said in the last article that it was just a formality and it didn’t matter where he was listed, but I can strongly say it isn’t here.
Running Backs
RB2 Damien Williams
RB3 Tyler Allgeier
RB4 Qadree Ollison
RB5 Avery Williams
No movement here. Ollison is definitely on the roster bubble, but Atlanta doesn’t really have much depth at the position with a rookie at RB3. I think carrying four running backs is pretty reasonable, especially with the new regime seeming pretty interested in Ollison’s development. I also think Avery Williams sticks as a Special Teams player and gadget back.
Fullbacks
FB1 Keith Smith
You like Keith Smith? Here’s Keith Smith.
Wide Receivers
WR1 Bryan Edwards
WR2 Drake London
WR4 Damiere Byrd
WR5 KhaDarel Hodge
WR6 Jared Bernhardt
I didn’t originally have Geronimo Allison here, but I did have Auden Tate listed as WR4. The Falcons said goodbye to Tate, and taking his place is Undrafted Free Agent Jared Bernhardt. The former lacrosse star is a freak athlete, and he sticks around as a gadget player. He should contribute on the practice squad at worst. There’s some stiff competition here. 2022 6th round pick Frank Darby may end up on the practice squad or cut.
Tight Ends
TE1 Kyle Pitts
TE2 Anthony Firkser
TE3 Parker Hesse
TE4 Feleipe Franks
We know Arthur Smith loves his tight ends, so this group could absolutely go up to four or five deep. I expect Firkser and Hesse to be used in a variety of situations with FitzPatrick beginning his career on the practice squad. He has an uphill battle to make the roster, but I think he sees some action eventually as a 2022 draft pick.
Offensive Line
LT1 Jake Matthews
LG1 Elijah Wilkinson
C1 Drew Dalman
RG1 Chris Lindstrom
RT1 Kaleb McGary
OL Jalen Mayfield
OL Justin Shaffer
OL Germain Ifedi
Not much to talk about here. Shaffer hasn’t looked great, but he is a draft pick, so he gets some benefit of the doubt here. The starters may change, but we’ll see. If things continue the way they are, I seriously doubt Jalen Mayfield gets a starting role. He may end up getting cut as well. I think the regime gives him one more season to prove himself.
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Roster Count: 28
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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