One final Atlanta Falcons 53 man roster projection before cuts

The cuts are going to be coming soon enough, so I figured it was time to take one more look at the Falcons’ roster.

Those last two spots are tough to figure out at the moment, and I have a solid hunch the Falcons will raid the waiver wire to try to add a piece or two, particularly on offense. I don’t think the team will keep ten offensive linemen, so this particular projection has a surprise UDFA addition at both running back and defensive back. Time will tell.

You should read Kevin Knight’s projection before this past game, which knowing my luck will turn out to be more accurate than this one. Then sound off on this projection and share your own, if you would!

OFFENSE - 25

QB Matt Ryan
QB Matt Schaub

RB Devonta Freeman
RB Tevin Coleman
RB Ito Smith
RB Justin Crawford

FB Ricky Ortiz

TE Austin Hooper
TE Eric Saubert
TE Logan Paulsen

WR Julio Jones
WR Mohamed Sanu
WR Calvin Ridley
WR Justin Hardy
WR Marvin Hall
WR Russell Gage

LT Jake Matthews
LG Andy Levitre
C Alex Mack
RG Brandon Fusco
RT Ryan Schraeder

C/G Ben Garland
C/G Wes Schweitzer
G Sean Harlow
T Ty Sambrailo

I don’t love having Justin Crawford on this roster, but I think at least temporarily he will be. The Falcons gave him a ton of run all offseason long and appear to like his special teams value, so for the moment, he’ll hang around. Sean Harlow is a developmental stash for a second straight year, in the hopes that he’ll become at least a valuable reserve in his second season. Russell Gage and Marvin Hall should be key special teamers at the wide receiver position, and otherwise, there are no real surprises on this side of the ball.

---

DEFENSE - 25

EDGE Vic Beasley
EDGE Takkarist McKinley
EDGE Brooks Reed
EDGE Derrick Shelby

DT Grady Jarrett
DT Jack Crawford
DT Deadrin Senat
DT Terrell McClain
DT Garrison Smith

LB Deion Jones
LB De’Vondre Campbell
LB Duke Riley
LB Foye Oluokun
LB Kemal Ishmael

CB Desmond Trufant
CB Robert Alford
CB Brian Poole
CB Isaiah Oliver
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
CB Justin Bethel

SS Keanu Neal
FS Ricardo Allen
S Damontae Kazee
S Ron Parker
S Chris Lammons

I think the Falcons are going to make a move or two on defense, so Lammons may not be safe. He showed well this summer, though, and the Falcons moved him around to multiple positions. They’ll be absolutely stacked at defensive back if they align their roster this way, but it’s not like that’s a bad thing for a team that may not have major roles for Ron Parker and Isaiah Oliver out of the gate. I do think the Falcons will go waiver wire diving for another defensive end, for what it’s worth.

Otherwise, no real surprises here, I suspect. Garrison Smith has earned his spot.

---

SPECIAL TEAMS - 3

K Matt Bryant
P Matt Bosher
LS Josh Harris

No surprises here, either.

---

PRACTICE SQUAD - 11

TE Alex Gray

QB Kurt Benkert

DT Justin Zimmer

RB Malik Williams

WR Reggie Davis

T Matt Gono

DE J’Terius Jones

LB Jonathan Celestin

CB Deantre Burton

LB Richard Jarvis

TE Jaeden Graham

---

This changed a little bit from my last projection. I think Jaeden Graham has done enough this summer to be the team’s de facto fourth tight end, and may be worth developing. Malik Williams takes the spot of Justin Crawford, who I think may make the roster, at least initially. Otherwise, this collection should look familiar.

Benkert’s play slipped but he remains an intriguing prospect, Gono is in the same boat, and Davis has special teams value and speed despite his disastrous Thursday night. Jones and Jarvis had solid enough summers and still have promise, Burton turned his athleticism into some solid games and may merit a longer look, and Zimmer was legitimately impressive at times. Even if the Falcons do keep all their own players on the practice squad, however, it’ll likely be for a short time as they look to raid other teams.