/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59080397/usa_today_10542135.0.jpg)
With nearly a week of free agency in the books and the Falcons having made only one move of note, I thought it was a good time to review how the 2018 roster is shaping up and see what glaring holes still remain. Let’s do so now, and break down the offense, defense, and special teams as a whole.
Scroll with us.
Offense
QB Matt Ryan
QB Matt Schaub
QB Garrett Grayson
RB Devonta Freeman
RB Tevin Coleman
RB Terrence Magee
WR Julio Jones
WR Mohamed Sanu
WR Justin Hardy
WR Marvin Hall
WR Reggie Davis
WR Devin Fuller
WR Rannell Hall
TE Austin Hooper
TE Logan Paulsen
TE Eric Saubert
TE Alex Gray
OT Jake Matthews
OT Ryan Schraeder
OT Ty Sambrailo
OT/OG Austin Pasztor
OG Andy Levitre
OG Brandon Fusco
OG/OC Ben Garland
OG Wes Schweitzer
OG Sean Harlow
OG Jamil Douglas
OC Alex Mack
OL Daniel Brunskill
OL Lucas Crowley
Defense
DE Vic Beasley
DE Takkarist McKinley
DE Brooks Reed
DE Derrick Shelby
DE J’Terius Jones
DE Martin Ifedi
DT Grady Jarrett
DT Jack Crawford
DT Taniela Tupou
DT Joey Ivie
LB Deion Jones
LB De’Vondre Campbell
LB Duke Riley
CB Desmond Trufant
CB Robert Alford
CB Brian Poole
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
CB Leon McFadden
CB Deante Burton
S Keanu Neal
S Ricardo Allen
S Damontae Kazee
S Marcelis Branch
S Quincy Mauger
Special Teams
K Matt Bryant
P Matt Bosher
LS Josh Harris
Offense
We still don’t know what’s happening with Matt Schaub, so the team either has an established backup quarterback making (in our opinion) a little too much considering their cap space, or they’re on the hunt for a younger option. Running back goes two deep with Terrence Magee potentially offering some untapped upside, wide receiver has been thinned out considerably but the team is saying all the right things about Marvin Hall and Reggie Davis, and tight end now appears set for 2018 with Logan Paulsen signing.
The offensive line, meanwhile, looks relatively settled. The Falcons have five clear starters, two swing tackle options, and tons of interior line depth. It’ll be interesting to see who they eventually keep out of that group, with Wes Schweitzer and Sean Harlow offering cheap contracts and youth and Ben Garland offering positional versatility. My guess is still that Harlow loses out, but it’s too early to say.
Overall, though, the offense is relatively settled. The Falcons may well invest in a third receiver and third running back, and they have to do something at tight end unless Eric Saubert is ready to take a leap forward. Otherwise, what we’re banking on here is slightly improved performance from stars, a bit of an upgrade at right guard, and Steve Sarkisian getting better use out of these players.
Defense
The line is very unsettled right now. The Falcons have a strong three man rotation at defensive end with Vic Beasley, Takkarist McKinley, and Brooks Reed, but they need (at minimum) more depth to keep these guys fresh, and in case injury strikes. Defensive tackle features one legitimately terrific player in Grady Jarrett, one potentially effective starter in Jack Crawford, and nothing else. The Falcons can make a lot of headway just by landing a first round defensive tackle, giving them a rotation of Jarrett, Crawford, rookie, and possibly Tupou or a signing on the interior.
Linebacker is much more settled, with three obvious starters in Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, and Duke Riley. The team’s depth is non-existent right now with LaRoy Reynolds, Kemal Ishmael and Sean Weatherspoon headed elsewhere, which means we’re likely looking at two signings or draft picks to pick up those special teams snaps.
The secondary is pretty settled, too. The Falcons will likely snag a developmental fourth safety late in the draft but go five deep at cornerback, with Damontae Kazee also potentially picking up some time at the nickel. Depth is a little bit of a concern, particularly at corner beyond Blidi Wreh-Wilson, but that’s a back burner concern for the moment.
Overall, the defense is the area in which the Falcons need to focus most of their offseason attention in the months ahead to ensure they don’t lose major ground after last year’s improvements. They need a true starting-caliber defensive tackle, rotational ends and tackles, reserve linebackers, and deep reserves in the secondary before they can consider this thing buttoned up.
Special Teams
The Falcons return Matt Bryant and Matt Bosher, one of the most effective kicker/punter tandems in the NFL. Josh Harris is as steady as they come at long snapper, too, which means the only marquee special teams need is a return. Andre Roberts doesn’t figure to return, leaving the Falcons to either hand the gig over to
This unit has bled useful players this offseason, however. Kemal Ishmael, LaRoy Reynolds, Levine Toilolo, and Sharrod Neasman all played major roles and may not return, leaving Atlanta to either get their young players more time on teams or sign the kind of steady vets they’ve traditionally depended on under Keith Armstrong. It’s something to watch, particularly after the Falcons’ special teams were such a mixed bag last year.