Travian Robertson's Time Is Now

The Falcons have an injury problem at defensive tackle thus far in pre-season, as we've noted. Previously, we mentioned Peria Jerry as the biggest beneficiary of those injuries right now, as he tries to carve out some playing time in the rotation this year.

Yet the single biggest beneficiary may well be somebody further down the depth chart, a player who will be competing for a roster spot. That would be seventh round rookie Travian Robertson.

Robertson has been mentioned in this space before for his impressive strength and physicality, but he never had a realistic chance to crack the rotation this year. His only hope was to stick as a fifth defensive tackle by sheer merit of his play, and he's getting one hell of an opportunity to do that now with two guys down along the line.

You saw it in the first pre-season game, where Robertson pushed the pocket effectively when he was on the field. The coaching staff has talked him up in practice. Given the team's very real need for a defensive tackle who can command attention at the point of attack, Robertson probably only needs another quality pre-season game or two to sew up a spot. Certainly it's a better use for a space than a fourth running back, at least in my mind.

Do you think Robertson will make the team?