Falcons vs. Steelers: Roster battles to watch today

We’re hours away from the second preseason game, and as is the case with every preseason game, this one will matter for those fighting to win a starting job or simply to make the roster. Here’s a closer look at the battles that you’ll want to monitor this evening.

Running back

Terron Ward and Brian Hill should each get 5-10 touches in this one, with Kelvin Taylor, and Jhurrell Pressley carrying the load late. Ward will want to build on a strong first week of preseason, while Hill will want to turn in his first truly impressive performance of the summer.

Wide receiver

Basically, you have a handful of guys hoping to be sufficiently great as to convince the Falcons to carry six wide receivers. Marvin Hall, Reggie Davis, and Anthony Dable all did well in the first week of preseason and have looked good since minicamp, and one will hope to start separating from the pack this week.

Tight end

Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo are locked in, but you also have Eric Saubert, Josh Perkins, and Darion Griswold fighting for at most two spots. Saubert’s the easy favorite for third tight end, but don’t count out the other two just yet, especially as the rookie comes along slowly.

Right guard

Wes Schweitzer will get the start, Ben Garland will get more run. It’s the flip side of the situation a week ago, and Schweitzer will hope to look as good against Pittsburgh’s starters as Garland did a week ago versus Miami.

Cornerback

With Jalen Collins out of the picture for ten weeks, it’s C.J. Goodwin, Deji Olatoye, Akeem King, and rookie Janor Jones, realistically. Goodwin will want to prove he deserves the fourth spot on the depth chart, while everyone else is making a case for the fifth spot the team will almost certainly carry.