FanPost

Let's Talk Falcons: Pre-Camp Roster Projection + Practice Squad, oh my!

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via www.genuinefootball.com

Camp is almost upon us, folks. Finally, after months and months of no real football action (aside from watching Johnny Football sweat and chug water at the NFL Draft) we get to find out how our team will shake out for the 2014 season. This year there will be some real camp battles and I expect a lot of surprises come the end of the preseason. If Coach Smith was serious about there being open competitions for all roster spots, then the best players will make the team.

So now it's up to us to predict who the best players will be. I'll take my shot at it along with a bit of commentary on each choice.

OFFENSE

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via media.cmgdigital.com

Quarterbacks

1. QB: Matt Ryan
2. QB: T.J. Yates

I think the Falcons run with only two QB's for a couple of reasons. First off, Matt Ryan is a very tough guy (he proved it last year) and is not injured often. Second, they did it last year and with a guy who isn't quite in the league of who we have now, T.J. Yates. Yates is a proven backup with both regular season and playoff experience.

Wide Receivers

3. WR: Julio Jones
4. WR: Roddy White
5. WR: Harry Douglas
6. WR: Darius Johnson
7. WR: Drew Davis
8. WR/KR/PR: Devin Hester

If Koetter is serious about going to the 4-verticals offense, then the Falcons will want to keep more receivers on roster. Julio, Roddy, and Harry will be the top-3. I think the Falcons take 6. Darius Johnson could provide you with more in the passing game than Roby, and Drew Davis could provide you with a comparable contribution on special teams. So I think they both edge him out with Devin Hester to round out the WR corps.

Running Backs

9. RB: Steven Jackson
10. RB: Jacquizz Rodgers
11. RB: Devonta Freeman
12. RB: Antone Smith
13. FB: Patrick DiMarco

I think RB is one of the battles that is easiest to predict. The top three are all safe, and you have to like what Antone Smith offers on ST (not to mention the 20+ YPC...) enough to keep him around. DiMarco keeps his job after a pretty darn good year. Did anyone else see him neutralize Luke Kuechly? The guy has real talent.

Tight Ends

14. TE: Levine Toilolo
15. TE: Bear Pascoe
16. TE: Mickey Shuler

The TE will be a less emphasized role in the offense this year, that much is clear. Toilolo has the size to emerge as a chain-mover and red zone threat, he just needs to take that next step. Pascoe is a proven blocker who should help both the running and passing game. Shuler will probably have a Chase Coffman-like role of getting maybe 2-3 passes thrown at him a year.

Offensive Line

17. OT: Sam Baker
18. OT: Jake Matthews
19. OT: Lamar Holmes
20. OT/OG: Mike Johnson
21. OT/OG: Gabe Carimi
22. OG: Justin Blalock
23. OG: Jon Asamoah
24. OG: Harland Gunn
25. C: Joe Hawley
26. C: Peter Konz

After the calamitous amount of injuries that impacted the OL last season, you can bet that the FO is going to be more cautious with their depth. Which is why I think they take 10 OL into the season (and stash another on the PS). The FO realized that if you keep Matt Ryan upright, he will carve up opposing defenses. They are going to act accordingly. The starting 5 are pretty much locked in. They keep Mike Johnson (considered a starter before a crazy injury), Carimi (a first-round talent that so far hasn't blossomed), and Gunn (a remarkably solid guard and mauler in the running game) as the primary depth. Lamar Holmes and Peter Konz get one more season to prove that they aren't busts.

DEFENSE

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via blogs.ajc.com

Defensive Line

27. NT/DT: Paul Soliai
28. DT/DE: Tyson Jackson
29. DT/DE: Jonathan Babineux
30. DT/DE: Ra'shede Hageman
31. DT/DE: Corey Peters (if on IR, DT/DE: Peria Jerry)
32. DT/DE: Malliciah Goodman

Our DL will look a lot better with Peters in the lineup, but it's hard to say whether he'll be ready by Game 1. The top guys are pretty much set, with Hageman and Goodman as solid depth. I think Jerry is gone if Peters is healthy, otherwise he'll make the roster until Peters comes back.

Outside Linebackers

33. OLB/DE: Jonathan Massaquoi
34. OLB/DE: Osi Umenyiora
35. OLB/DE: Kroy Biermann
36. OLB/DE: Stansly Maponga

Our linebacker corps isn't very intimidating at first glance. If Massaquoi has a breakout year and Biermann returns to his old self, however, we may be in good shape. Osi will likely become a DPR and bring us some sacks as well, while Maponga provides the depth. I also expect Bartu and maybe even Shembo to split some time at OLB.

Inside Linebackers

37. ILB: Paul Worrilow
38. ILB: Tim Dobbins
39. ILB: Marquis Spruill
40. ILB/OLB: Prince Shembo
41. ILB/OLB: Joplo Bartu

The loss of Weatherspoon is big, but at least the next guys up are getting their First Team reps in training camp. Worrilow and Bartu will likely start at ILB, and we are really depending on them to take a step forward. Shembo and Dobbins will be the primary backups, and they aren't the worst depth we've ever had. Spruill cracks the roster primarily for his ST ability.

Cornerbacks

42. CB: Desmond Trufant
43. CB: Robert Alford
44. CB: Robert McClain
45. CB: Josh Wilson
46. CB/PR/KR: Javier Arenas

The Falcons have arguably the most exciting young cornerback duo in the league this season. Trufant and Alford should be good for a long time to come. An exciting battle for the nickel CB spot will take place, but it doesn't really matter because all 3 corners will make the roster. McClain and Wilson are proven if unspectacular veteran CBs, while Arenas could still become a good CB and offers his skills as a PR/KR.

Safeties

47. SS: William Moore
48. SS: Dezmen Southward
49. FS: Dwight Lowery
50. FS: Kemal Ishmael

The safety situation is a delicate one. On top we have Willy Mo and Dwight Lowery (who I think will be a very good FS for us). Behind them, we have nothing but hopes and dreams. Dezmen Southward has all the tools to become a great safety, but he's incredibly raw. Ishmael is a solid tackler and looked the part in college, but he didn't make it on the field much last year. We can only hope the two of them can fill in adequately when needed.

SPECIAL TEAMS

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via ww1.hdnux.com

51. LS: Josh Harris
52. K: Matt Bryant
53. P: Matt Bosher

We round out the roster with three good players. Bryant is called money for a reason, and here's to hoping he stays that way for a long time. Bosher is a great punter and an even better tackler. All in all, our ST units look to be pretty darn good this year.

PRACTICE SQUAD

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via www.rantsports.com

1. QB: Jeff Mathews
2. WR: Bernard Reedy
3. C: James Stone
4. TE: Jacob Pedersen
5. OT: Ryan Schraeder
6. OLB: Tyler Starr
7. ILB: Yawin Smallwood
8. CB: Ricardo Allen

It's a good thing when players are genuinely fighting for spots on the Practice Squad, and I think that's what will happen this year. I think Jeff Mathews edges out Renfree as the project QB with the most upside. Reedy is a WR who I think will show up in camp and the preseason, but a crowded depth chart will keep him on the PS this first season, although any injuries could easily lift him to the active roster. James Stone has already started showing flashes of being a good center, and I think it's likely the FO keeps another C around in case Konz falters again. I think Pedersen impresses enough at TE to take a spot, and he may supplant Shuler on the active roster during the season. Schraeder is probably a better OT than Holmes, but since I believe he's still eligible for PS, that is probably where he will land to start the season. If someone goes down to injury, he'll be on the roster again. Starr and Smallwood both have potential, but I think they will need a year of seasoning to crack the roster. Lastly, Ricardo Allen is a CB with great upside. He may very easily make it on to the roster if any of the CBs falter or (god forbid) injuries occur.

Now it's time for your opinions. For the first time in years there may actually be open competitions for many positions, so we could see quite a few surprises this offseason. Who do you think makes the final cut?

Author's Note: In case people didn't notice, I have changed my username. I used to go by freakywarguy. Anyway, I should be back to writing more Falcons' articles in the near future, stay tuned!

<em>This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.</em>