The Falcons are at a crossroads — they could either be a team that surprises a lot of people like last season or contend for the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. I don’t think Atlanta is done adding to their roster, especially with guys coming available after June 1st. Offensive line is still a need, and depth remains an issue at the skill positions. I’m a big fan of the Bryan Edwards trade, but is that enough to field a competent offense? There’s still plenty of time before camp and June 1st cuts, so let’s take a quick peek at what the Falcons may do in the coming weeks before their opener against the Saints. I’ll cover the defense and special teams later this week.
Quarterback
QB1 Marcus Mariota
QB2 Desmond Ridder
QB3 Feleipe Franks
Nothing too crazy here. We know how Arthur Smith treats rookies, and I think Ridder’s talent will give him the edge over Franks here. I’m not sure if the Falcons will carry three quarterbacks. If they really like someone else, Franks could be moved to the practice squad. Until camp starts and we hear about some UDFAs making noise, I’ll stick with him.
Running Back
RB1 Cordarrelle Patterson
RB2 Damien Williams
RB3 Tyler Allgeier
RB4 Qadree Ollison
Pretty easy list here, too. I could see this regime easing Allgeier into the system unless he really blows it up early. Caleb Huntley may show up and steal Qadree Ollison’s spot, but until then, I think this is the four that the Falcons will roll with.
Fullback
FB1 Keith Smith
You like Keith Smith? Here you go. Here’s Keith Smith.
Wide Receiver
WR1 Drake London
WR2 Bryan Edwards
WR3 Auden Tate
WR4 Damiere Byrd
WR5 KhaDarel Hodge
WR6 Frank Darby
Geronimo Allison is a guy who could work his way onto this list, but with Frank Darby being a pick by this regime in the last draft, I give him a slight edge for now. He’s going to have to prove something because he was only a sixth-round pick. He’s definitely on the roster bubble.
Tight End
TE1 Kyle Pitts
TE2 Anthony Firkser
TE3 John FitzPatrick
TE4 Parker Hesse
Arthur Smith loves his tight ends, so I think four is a reasonable number for this group. Maybe they would sneak a fifth one in, but nobody currently on the roster is moving the needle for me.
Left Tackle
LT1 Jake Matthews
LT2 Elijah Wilkinson
Wilkinson is probably going to be a swing tackle, but Jake Matthews is your obvious starter.
Left Guard
LG1 Jalen Mayfield
LG2 Justin Shaffer
I could see the Falcons snagging a veteran like Quinton Spain, but when putting this roster together, I didn’t have anywhere to put him. I’m already rolling with nine offensive linemen, and I’m assuming the regime will give their former third-round pick Jalen Mayfield one more chance to prove himself.
Center
C1 Matt Hennessy
C2 Drew Dalman
Center is a position that could absolutely be upgraded, but this late in the process, I could see the Falcons giving Hennessy another shot while continuing to develop their 2021 fifth-round pick, Drew Dalman.
Right Guard
RG1 Chris Lindstrom
Our King. Next.
Right Tackle
RT1 Kaleb McGary
RT2 Tyler Vrabel
I have Tyler Vrabel snagging a roster spot over Germain Ifedi, and although Ifedi is a bit more versatile, I think Vrabel has a lot of upside as a developmental right tackle. I had Vrabel in a few of my mock drafts in the sixth round, but the Falcons got him as an undrafted free agent. They need to develop someone behind Kaleb McGary after his fifth-year option was declined. I like Vrabel to break camp and serve as a swing tackle for now.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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