Falcons vs. Eagles 2015: Who to Watch In Falcons' Season Opener

Ra'Shede Hageman, Defensive Tackle

Big-Shede is your starting defensive tackle for 2015, and is a legitimate candidate for defensive player of the year for the Atlanta Falcons. Hageman was unable to shine under the likes of Mike Smith, but Quinn is a coach who should be capable of putting him in the position to succeed. Atlanta desperately needs Shede to begin putting the pieces together for them to have a fighting chance against a high-tempo Eagles offense.

Justin Hardy, Wide Receiver

No one is quite sure how often Roddy White (who has been practicing) will see the field Monday night, but if he is to miss a drive or a handful of plays, Hardy will get some regular season action in the slot. The Falcons seem to have gotten themselves a steal in Hardy, who fell to Atlanta in the 4th round of the 2015 Draft. I, for one, am eager to see how he performs in a meaningful game with Ryan slinging him the ball.

Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle

As the most important position along the offensive line, left tackle Jake Matthews will have eyes on him for more reasons than just the fact that he's returning from injury. Matthews struggled mightily at times in 2014, and everyone is eager to see how he's improved or if he's even healthy enough to play. Monday Night Football will pit him against the likes of Brandon Graham, a talented pass rusher and offseason fan-favorite. It'll be a strong test for a guy that must start living up to a top-ten draft status.

How do you think the guys above will perform, and who are you going to watch closely?