Miggy_Ray
Starter
This is the side of the ball the Falcons paid the most attention to in the offseason. New ownership has tweaked a few key pieces and plan on using the whole depth chart week in and week out to try and keep fresh bodies on the field. This will help to utilize the attacking 4-3 system they want to run.
DEFENSIVE ENDS:
The first move the Falcons made at the end of last year after taking over was to put Vic Beasley back at DE with his hand down on the turf. In the last 4 games of the season he responded with 3 sacks. At the other defensive end spot Aaron Lynch got a good look the last 4 games after it was decided Adrian Clayborn would not be re-signing and played well with his opportunity but the 2nd year pro out of UCLA Takkarist McKinley is pushing for the starting spot. With his speed and pure athleticism off the edge however he might just be saved for pash rush situations as Lynch is better against the run overall. DE Derrick Shelby is back and will likely backup Beasley and give him a break on running downs as that is his expertise setting the edge and containing the run. Lastly the Falcons 7th round pick DE Duke Ejiofor out of Wake Forest will play in specific roles as well. He is a solid balanced DE so either run or pass he can play both effectively and will be sort of a swing DE filling in at either side.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons plan to play all of their DEs throughout games keeping them fresh and attacking opposing teams but in the base defense Beasley and Lynch will likely be the starters. Vic Beasley is another key Falcons player set to hit free agency after the season which is a double edged sword. We need him to produce big this season but he might just play his way out of the Falcons price range.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES:
The team has no question marks as to who the starters will be. Dontari Poe who came over from the Chiefs before last season and Grady Jackson will be the beef inside. Poe is more of the run stopper and while Jackson can stop the run as well he is more of the inside pass rusher. But Poe did record a career high 10 sacks in his first year with Atlanta. Jack Crawford is their main backup and he is a bit of a tweener having played both DE and DT with the Cowboys in the past. From the DT spot he is purely a pash rusher as his size makes him a little undersized for the middle. Woodrow Hamilton is the last DT on the roster but he will be fighting to move up to the main backup spot in the preseason.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons have an impressive combo starting in the middle but behind them the depth is a little limited if they were forced to play more because of injury. Also Grady Jackson is set to become a FA after the season. The Falcons will just have to pick their spots giving Poe and Jackson some rest during games.
LINEBACKERS:
The Falcons Linebacking corp is a young sideline to sideline athletic group. Deion Jones the man in the middle is the veteran of the starters in only his 3rd year. He has ridiculous athleticism to flow with the play on the run or to play the pass. Thanks to a great offseason workout plan LB De'Vondre Campbell looks primed to take over at one outside LB spot. Another really good athlete with some coverage skills for a LB. The other starting outside LB spot will be up for grabs between Duke Riley in his 2nd year out of LSU. Duke was not playing much under previous ownership but once the new regime came in for the last 4 games Duke immediately took over and performed very well. His competiton for the starting job will come from 4th round pick out of UVA Micah Kiser. The Falcons loved this pick on draft night and now that they have seen him in mini-camps they love it even more. Should be an interesting battle headed into the preseason. Whoever loses the job will likely be the main backup at a couple spots the Falcons do have some depth pieces. Brooks Reed was moved back to linebacker when Beasley switched to DE. Reed could also see time at DE but as a LB he a big guy who can set an edge and a solid tackler. The Falcons like him more at this spot. Neiron Ball is another young athlete who is at the moment more of a special teamer but hoping to get him some work to help out on the defense. Laroy Reynolds is just a banger he is what DJ Swearinger is to the safety spot. When he comes to tackle you he is going for the knockout shot. The Falcons are actually looking to calm him down just slightly so he can better focus on his reads. Brooks Ellis was brought in on a one year deal for depth purposes. If he makes the 53 man roster it will likely be as a special teams contributor. But the practice squad is another option for him.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons are excited to see what this young athletic group can bring to the table. On paper they do not really have alot of holes but we will have to see how they perform when the lights come on. The good news is nobody is becoming a FA after this season so they will get the opportunity to build something.
CORNERBACKS:
The Falcons maybe surprisingly added CB Tarvarus McFadden out of FSU in Round 1 of the draft. He just added to the depth this team already had at CB. The #1 corner on this team is undoubtedly decided with Desmond Trufant leading the way. After that things get pretty interesting Robert Alford was the other starting CB last year but with age creeping up on him a move to the slot might be in order. The slot last year was Jalen Collins who is a solid man to man corner and could be moved to the outside or possibly even moved to Safety? That is where Tavarus McFadden could steal a spot. McFadden will compete for the #2 corner spot with Collins in training camp. No matter who wins what spot this is another position the Falcons hope to play alot of bodies to keep them fresh. They have really good depth at CB and have some trust in them at least 5 deep. The 5th CB is Brian Poole out of Florida. He is another player who could possibly be moved to safety as he is more of a zone playing CB. Leon McFadden was brought in as a free agent on a one year deal to provide depth and help on special teams.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons have alot of depth and flexibility at the CB spot this season. I see them using that depth and rotating players for particular formations and sometimes even particular playcalls. Will be interesting to see how everything shakes out. They do have 2 guys in their last year of their contracts as both Jalen Collins and Brian Poole are set for possible free agency.
SAFETIES:
This is another position the Falcons feel they are deep at. Unless a CB is moved to FS then the starters are pretty much set. Keanu Neal will be starting at SS as the Falcons only Pro-Bowler last season he used that perk to help in his offseason training program and it has shown in mini-camps. At FS the Falcons have Ricardo Allen listed as the starting FS for now. He has the range and athleticism to cover alot of ground but at his size (5'9 186 LBs) he is a miniature guy to be playing safety. He is smaller than every CB on the Falcons roster. The Falcons also drafted in the 3rd Round a potential replacement in Armani Watts from Texas A&M but they would like him to sit at least 1 season before taking over a starting role. The Falcons have 2 more free safeties on the roster. Damontae Kazee another small safety but speedy and a pretty good cover guy will try to make the roster on special teams but may begin on the practice squad. Sharrod Neasman will have a tough time sticking with the team unless he has a ridiculously good camp or preseason. Going back to the SS side backing up Keanu Neal will be a couple of veterans who still have something left in the tank. Aaron Williams and Eddie Pleasant will provide depth at both Safety spots if needed and should be special teams standouts. Quincy Mauger will likely be on the practice squad as well unless he shows out in camp.
The Breakdown:
The depth is solid at safety and unless a CB is moved to FS the starters and backups seem to have all of their spots reserved. Nobody is hitting the FA market but their may be some trade possibility candidates from this group.
KICKER/PUNTER:
The ageless one Matt Bryant is back for his 17th season at 43 years old. Fortunately his right leg is the only thing hanging on with still all the power and accuracy of a 25 year old. Giorgio Tavecchio was brought in to groom and learn under Bryant in likely his final season. Matt Bosher returns also at punter but the Falcons are obviously hoping he does not have a great season.
The Breakdown:
Matt Bryant is likely in his final season in the league but definetely with the Falcons as he is in the final year of his contract. Not sure if Tavecchio is going to be the permanent replacement next year. But he will get an oppurtunity.
DEFENSIVE ENDS:
The first move the Falcons made at the end of last year after taking over was to put Vic Beasley back at DE with his hand down on the turf. In the last 4 games of the season he responded with 3 sacks. At the other defensive end spot Aaron Lynch got a good look the last 4 games after it was decided Adrian Clayborn would not be re-signing and played well with his opportunity but the 2nd year pro out of UCLA Takkarist McKinley is pushing for the starting spot. With his speed and pure athleticism off the edge however he might just be saved for pash rush situations as Lynch is better against the run overall. DE Derrick Shelby is back and will likely backup Beasley and give him a break on running downs as that is his expertise setting the edge and containing the run. Lastly the Falcons 7th round pick DE Duke Ejiofor out of Wake Forest will play in specific roles as well. He is a solid balanced DE so either run or pass he can play both effectively and will be sort of a swing DE filling in at either side.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons plan to play all of their DEs throughout games keeping them fresh and attacking opposing teams but in the base defense Beasley and Lynch will likely be the starters. Vic Beasley is another key Falcons player set to hit free agency after the season which is a double edged sword. We need him to produce big this season but he might just play his way out of the Falcons price range.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES:
The team has no question marks as to who the starters will be. Dontari Poe who came over from the Chiefs before last season and Grady Jackson will be the beef inside. Poe is more of the run stopper and while Jackson can stop the run as well he is more of the inside pass rusher. But Poe did record a career high 10 sacks in his first year with Atlanta. Jack Crawford is their main backup and he is a bit of a tweener having played both DE and DT with the Cowboys in the past. From the DT spot he is purely a pash rusher as his size makes him a little undersized for the middle. Woodrow Hamilton is the last DT on the roster but he will be fighting to move up to the main backup spot in the preseason.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons have an impressive combo starting in the middle but behind them the depth is a little limited if they were forced to play more because of injury. Also Grady Jackson is set to become a FA after the season. The Falcons will just have to pick their spots giving Poe and Jackson some rest during games.
LINEBACKERS:
The Falcons Linebacking corp is a young sideline to sideline athletic group. Deion Jones the man in the middle is the veteran of the starters in only his 3rd year. He has ridiculous athleticism to flow with the play on the run or to play the pass. Thanks to a great offseason workout plan LB De'Vondre Campbell looks primed to take over at one outside LB spot. Another really good athlete with some coverage skills for a LB. The other starting outside LB spot will be up for grabs between Duke Riley in his 2nd year out of LSU. Duke was not playing much under previous ownership but once the new regime came in for the last 4 games Duke immediately took over and performed very well. His competiton for the starting job will come from 4th round pick out of UVA Micah Kiser. The Falcons loved this pick on draft night and now that they have seen him in mini-camps they love it even more. Should be an interesting battle headed into the preseason. Whoever loses the job will likely be the main backup at a couple spots the Falcons do have some depth pieces. Brooks Reed was moved back to linebacker when Beasley switched to DE. Reed could also see time at DE but as a LB he a big guy who can set an edge and a solid tackler. The Falcons like him more at this spot. Neiron Ball is another young athlete who is at the moment more of a special teamer but hoping to get him some work to help out on the defense. Laroy Reynolds is just a banger he is what DJ Swearinger is to the safety spot. When he comes to tackle you he is going for the knockout shot. The Falcons are actually looking to calm him down just slightly so he can better focus on his reads. Brooks Ellis was brought in on a one year deal for depth purposes. If he makes the 53 man roster it will likely be as a special teams contributor. But the practice squad is another option for him.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons are excited to see what this young athletic group can bring to the table. On paper they do not really have alot of holes but we will have to see how they perform when the lights come on. The good news is nobody is becoming a FA after this season so they will get the opportunity to build something.
CORNERBACKS:
The Falcons maybe surprisingly added CB Tarvarus McFadden out of FSU in Round 1 of the draft. He just added to the depth this team already had at CB. The #1 corner on this team is undoubtedly decided with Desmond Trufant leading the way. After that things get pretty interesting Robert Alford was the other starting CB last year but with age creeping up on him a move to the slot might be in order. The slot last year was Jalen Collins who is a solid man to man corner and could be moved to the outside or possibly even moved to Safety? That is where Tavarus McFadden could steal a spot. McFadden will compete for the #2 corner spot with Collins in training camp. No matter who wins what spot this is another position the Falcons hope to play alot of bodies to keep them fresh. They have really good depth at CB and have some trust in them at least 5 deep. The 5th CB is Brian Poole out of Florida. He is another player who could possibly be moved to safety as he is more of a zone playing CB. Leon McFadden was brought in as a free agent on a one year deal to provide depth and help on special teams.
The Breakdown:
The Falcons have alot of depth and flexibility at the CB spot this season. I see them using that depth and rotating players for particular formations and sometimes even particular playcalls. Will be interesting to see how everything shakes out. They do have 2 guys in their last year of their contracts as both Jalen Collins and Brian Poole are set for possible free agency.
SAFETIES:
This is another position the Falcons feel they are deep at. Unless a CB is moved to FS then the starters are pretty much set. Keanu Neal will be starting at SS as the Falcons only Pro-Bowler last season he used that perk to help in his offseason training program and it has shown in mini-camps. At FS the Falcons have Ricardo Allen listed as the starting FS for now. He has the range and athleticism to cover alot of ground but at his size (5'9 186 LBs) he is a miniature guy to be playing safety. He is smaller than every CB on the Falcons roster. The Falcons also drafted in the 3rd Round a potential replacement in Armani Watts from Texas A&M but they would like him to sit at least 1 season before taking over a starting role. The Falcons have 2 more free safeties on the roster. Damontae Kazee another small safety but speedy and a pretty good cover guy will try to make the roster on special teams but may begin on the practice squad. Sharrod Neasman will have a tough time sticking with the team unless he has a ridiculously good camp or preseason. Going back to the SS side backing up Keanu Neal will be a couple of veterans who still have something left in the tank. Aaron Williams and Eddie Pleasant will provide depth at both Safety spots if needed and should be special teams standouts. Quincy Mauger will likely be on the practice squad as well unless he shows out in camp.
The Breakdown:
The depth is solid at safety and unless a CB is moved to FS the starters and backups seem to have all of their spots reserved. Nobody is hitting the FA market but their may be some trade possibility candidates from this group.
KICKER/PUNTER:
The ageless one Matt Bryant is back for his 17th season at 43 years old. Fortunately his right leg is the only thing hanging on with still all the power and accuracy of a 25 year old. Giorgio Tavecchio was brought in to groom and learn under Bryant in likely his final season. Matt Bosher returns also at punter but the Falcons are obviously hoping he does not have a great season.
The Breakdown:
Matt Bryant is likely in his final season in the league but definetely with the Falcons as he is in the final year of his contract. Not sure if Tavecchio is going to be the permanent replacement next year. But he will get an oppurtunity.