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I’ve been a fan of snap count analysis, as it’s a helpful way to get an overall sense as to how the Falcons are deploying personnel, especially with a defense as multiple as Dan Quinn’s and with an offense that utilizes deep, varied personnel as the Falcons offense does.
But a fair warning here: snap count analysis has its limits during preseason week 1.
High snap counts for preseason week 1 are great if you’re family or friends with the guys at the top of the list and want to see them on the field. But given that the starters played only one or two series each, the bottom of the list is where the greater overall roster security lies.
With that being said, here are this week’s snap counts:
Offense
The offensive snap counts are dominated by offensive linemen, with Cornelius Edison, Sean Harlow, Daniel Brunskill, and D.J. Tialavea all getting a lot of work on Thursday night. Matt Simms was given a fair opportunity to stake out a spot on the active roster. And with Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel being held out, that gave guys like Marvin Hall and Anthony Dablé more of an opportunity to pick up snaps at wide receiver.
Cornelius Edison 58
Sean Harlow 52
Daniel Brunskill 46
Matt Simms 45
D.J. Tialavea 42
Eric Saubert 36
Marvin Hall 28
Travis Averill 28
Anthony Dablé 27
Terron Ward 25
Brian Hill 24
Reggie Davis 24
Deonte Burton 23
Josh Perkins 20
Josh Magee 19
Wes Schweitzer 19
Darion Griswold 18
Andreas Knappe 16
Ben Garland 16
Larson Graham 13
Tyler Renew 13
Alek Torgersen 13
Reggie Davis 13
Nick Williams 12
Bra’Lon Cherry 10
Kelvin Taylor 10
Jake Matthews 9
Ryan Schraeder 9
Andy Levitre 9
Alex Mack 8
Derrick Coleman 7
Marquis Lucas 7
Wil Freeman 6
Austin Hooper 6
Levine Toilolo 6
Justin Hardy 5
Matt Ryan 5
Matt Schaub 5
Andre Roberts 4
Tevin Coleman 4
Mohamed Sanu 4
Devonta Freeman 3
Alex Gray 1
Defense
Both J’Terius Jones and Joe Vellano played plenty of second-team and third-team defensive snaps, pushing them to the head of the pack for this week’s defensive snap counts. As can be seen, the top of the list consists of many rookie free agents. Jalen Collins’ name jumps out as a returning defensive contributor who played more than 25 snaps, but those additional snaps did not appear to help his cause, as Coach Quinn acknowledged on Friday that Collins did not have himself a very good game.
J’Terius Jones 46
Joe Vellano 40
Marcelis Branch 33
Chris Odom 32
Jarnor Jones 32
Taniela Tupou 32
Jalen Collins 31
Josh Keyes 29
Duke Riley 27
Sharrod Neasman 24
C.J. Goodwin 21
Deron Washington 21
Jermaine Grace 20
Derrick Shelby 20
Kemal Ishmael 19
Deji Olatoye 18
Jack Lynn 18
Damontae Kazee 17
Ra’Shede Hageman 17
Jordan Moore 16
Quincy Mauger 14
Blidi Wreh-Wilson 14
Courtney Upshaw 14
Brooks Reed 13
LaRoy Reynolds 12
De’Vondre Campbell 10
Deion Jones 10
Robert Alford 9
Grady Jarrett 9
Dontari Poe 9
Ricardo Allen 9
Desmond Trufant 6
Vic Beasley 3
Brian Poole 2
Adrian Clayborn 2
Special Teams
The “starting” kick coverage, punt coverage, kick return, and punt return units were only all together on the field for one play each as far as I could tell, so once again, take these snap counts with a grain of salt. Meyer handled some kickoffs in Bosher’s stead.
Primary:
Josh Harris 11
Matt Bosher 11
Mike Meyer 7
Matt Bryant 3
Others with double-digit snaps on special teams:
Eric Saubert 19
Marcelis Branch 18
Jermaine Grace 15
Damontae Kazee 15
Josh Perkins 15
Deante Burton 12
Josh Keyes 12
Duke Riley 11
Brian Hill 11
Marvin Hall 10