2014 Atlanta Falcons Reader Depth Chart Projections: Free Safety Edition

Free safety has been one of the most polarizing positions on the roster for years now, mostly thanks to the presence of Thomas DeCoud. Some loved the man, some hated him, but he's gone and the Falcons have two competitors for his old job.

One's a steady veteran who has battled injuries in recent years. The others is a promising but potentially raw rookie out of Wisconsin. Their camp battle should be worth watching, even if most of us feel we know the outcome already.

Let's get to it.

2014 Atlanta Falcons Free Safety Projection

Dwight Lowery: 70 tackles, 1 interception, 8 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles
Dezmen Southward: 25 tackles, 4 pass deflections

I have modest expectations for free safety, as you'll note. Guessing Southward gets on the field some as the third safety and that he will take Lowery's place through a minor injury or two, but neither one of these guys is going to light the world on fire. Lowery should be a reasonably productive veteran option back there and a steadying presence for a position that many identified as a weakness coming into 2014.

Southward, meanwhile, will just be getting his reps and hoping to contribute in his rookie season, with an eye on seizing the starting job in 2015. Not a bad route to follow.

Project away, friends.