Falcons snap counts and notes for the Jaguars game

The Falcons didn’t play very well against the Jaguars, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at the snap counts and try to glean a few lessons. Let’s do so right now.

Offense

C/G Jamil Douglas: 32
G Sean Harlow: 32
T Ryan Schraeder: 27
T Jake Matthews: 27
G Andy Levitre: 27
G Brandon Fusco: 27
QB Matt Ryan: 26
G/C Wes Schweitzer: 25
RB Justin Crawford: 24
WR Calvin Ridley: 22
TE Austin Hooper: 21
WR Mohamed Sanu: 21
RB Tevin Coleman: 20
WR Christian Blake: 20
WR Devin Gray: 20
C J.C. Hassenauer: 20
QB Kurt Benkert: 20
T Daniel Brunskill: 20
G/T Austin Pasztor: 20
WR Reggie Davis: 19
TE Eric Saubert: 16
WR Dontez Byrd: 16
WR Russell Gage: 15
WR Justin Hardy: 14
C Alex Mack: 14
QB Matt Schaub: 13
TE Logan Paulsen: 12
T Ty Sambrailo: 12
T Matt Gono: 12
TE Jaeden Graham: 11
RB Malik Williams: 8
RB Ito Smith: 7
FB Ricky Ortiz: 7
TE Troy Mangen: 6
WR Lamar Jordan: 6
FB Jalston Fowler: 5
TE Alex Gray: 3
WR Julian Williams: 2

The Falcons are clearly trying to decide some battles here. Sean Harlow and Jamil Douglas led all players on offense in snaps, and the two are vying for (at most) one roster spot or a practice squad spot. Harlow has the draft pedigree and was pretty good last night, but Douglas has been impressive at times this summer and has some positional versatility. I would give the nod to Harlow, but narrowly.

The team also wants Justin Crawford to show he belongs, as they’re giving him a ton of opportunities. He just hasn’t been able to run that well (not that the blocking has been great) throughout most of the preseason, leaving the door open for Malik Williams to potentially steal a practice squad spot in the fourth and final game. The Falcons haven’t seen much out of Ito Smith, either, but I have to figured he’s locked in to a roster spot.

Otherwise, the Falcons appear to be trying to settle special teams spots and wide receiver. Assuming there’s a couple of open practice squad spots, Dontez Byrd and Reggie Davis helped themselves, while Devin Gray and Christian Blake weren’t able to do a lot.

The only other interesting note? The Falcons still aren’t giving us any concrete clues as to who is the frontrunner for the returner gigs and swing tackle jobs, as they barely played Ty Sambrailo and Matt Gono, who should be the frontrunners. Both battles are probably headed down to the wire.

Defense

CB Isaiah Oliver: 37
LB Duke Riley: 37
S Keanu Neal: 37
CB Robert Alford: 37
LB De’Vondre Campbell: 35
S Damontae Kazee: 35
DE J’Terius Jones: 33
DT Deadrin Senat: 29
LB Jonathan Celestin: 28
DT Grady Jarrett: 28
S Ron Parker: 27
DB Ryan Neal: 27
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson: 25
CB Brian Poole: 25
CB Deantre Burton: 23
DT Garrison Smith: 21
DE Vic Beasley: 21
S Kemal Ishmael: 19
DB Chris Lammons: 17
DE Brooks Reed: 17
DT Jacob Tuiati-Mariner: 17
LB Anthony Winbush: 16
DT Terrell McClain: 15
LB Emmanuel Ellerbe: 14
DE Derrick Shelby: 14
DT Jack Crawford: 14
LB Foye Oluokun: 13
LB Richard Jarvis: 12
CB Justin Bethel: 9
S Marcelis Branch: 8
CB Leon McFadden: 8
LB Emmanuel Smith: 6
S Tyson Graham: 5
DE Mackendy Cheridor: 1

The Falcons clearly were interested in getting a long look at J’Terius Jones, who had a solid enough but quiet game with 33 snaps. The team could use a fifth defensive end with some pass rushing ability in case they suffer an injury, and as much as I like Jones, he’s struggled to show that he can be that guy. The Falcons may well choose to dive into the waiver wire.

Jonathan Celestin has fared better. The Falcons have Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, Duke Riley and Foye Oluokun locked into roster spots, Kemal Ishmael a likely selection, and there may be one spot open. Celestin has done everything he possibly can to win that spot, and if nothing else, he should be ticketed for a practice squad spot. He’s also been a factor on special teams, as well.

Finally, the team is taking a long look at Ryan Neal, Justin Zimmer and Garrison Smith, and Blidi Wreh-Wilson. All four have played pretty well this summer, and at least Zimmer, Smith and Wreh-Wilson should be in play for roster spots. I’d anticipate that Smith and Wreh-Wilson will actually get them.

Special Teams

Isaiah Oliver: 10
Jonathan Celestin: 10
Eric Saubert: 9
Justin Bethel: 9
Matt Bosher: 9
Ron Parker: 8
Kemal Ishmael: 8
Russell Gage: 8
Foye Oluokun: 8
Josh Harris: 7
Richard Jarvis: 6
Ryan Neal: 6
Blidi Wreh-Wilson: 6
Justin Hardy: 6
Duke Riley: 6
Ito Smith: 6
Marcelis Branch: 6
Emmanuel Ellerbe: 5

If you’re looking for real clues about who is going to make this roster, special teams snaps offer it. That’s why it’s noteworthy that Celestin was tied for the team lead in special teams snaps, given that he’s pushing hard for a roster spot with his play on defense. Almost everyone with six or more snaps on this list except for Jarvis and Branch has a decent shot at a roster spot, and those players are going to get consideration for the practice squad because they’ve shown a little on defense and enough on special teams to stick around. Never underestimate the importance of these snaps.