Falcons snap counts and notes from Atlanta’s game against the Jets

We have comments on snap counts that aren’t solely related to how ridiculous it was for Matt Ryan to play almost an entire half in Week 2 of preseason. Let’s get to them.

Offense

Wes Schweitzer: 46

Matt Gono: 46

Chris Lindstrom: 42

Jamon Brown: 42

Jake Matthews: 42

Sean Harlow: 39

Jalen Robinson: 39

Adam Gettis: 39

Matt Simms: 39

Jaeden Graham: 31

Ty Sambrailo: 31

Olamide Zaccheaus: 31

Matt Ryan: 31

Christian Blake: 30

Austin Hooper: 28

Shawn Bane: 27

C.J. Worton: 25

Qadree Ollison: 24

Devin Gray: 24

Justin Hardy: 23

Ito Smith: 22

Alex Gray: 20

Chandler Miller: 20

Russell Gage: 18

Tony Brooks-James: 15

Kahlil Lewis: 15

Alex Mack: 15

Brian Hill: 14

Luke Stocker: 11

Matt Schaub: 11

Mohamed Sanu: 11

Logan Paulsen: 9

Marcus Green: 8

Ricky Ortiz: 7

Calvin Ridley: 6

Devonta Freeman: 6

Dieugot Joseph: 4

---

Yes, Matt Ryan played that many snaps. No, we’re still not sure why.

This was clearly another game meant to evaluate the offensive line, and they largely fell down in this one. Ty Sambrailo was particularly bad, but Jamon Brown didn’t shine in his last chance to prove himself worthy of the starting left guard job before James Carpenter comes back and makes his own case. Sean Harlow and Matt Gono continue to get a ton of work, with Gono looking better to this point almost across the board. He looks like a roster lock, but it’s a little interesting that the Falcons are giving Harlow so much run. Are they building toward keeping him, trading him, or legitimately having a hard time figuring out what they want to do?

The other big night is that we have certain trendlines that suggest which guys are truly on the outside looking in at this point, which includes Kahlil Lewis (frequently earns the fewest snaps in this crowded group of receivers), Tony Brooks-James (behind several other backs), and Dieugot Joseph (barely seeing the field even though rookie Jaelin Robinson is soaking up snaps). The picture is less clear for guys like Marcus Green, who the coaching staff reportedly likes and who was coming off of an injury, but if you’re not a roster lock like Luke Stocker or Calvin Ridley and you’re barely playing, it’s not a good sign for you.

Defense

Chris Cooper: 35

Sharrod Neasman: 31

Jordan Miller: 30

Jermaine Grace: 26

Isaiah Oliver: 26

Desmond Trufant: 26

Austin Larkin: 25

Del’Shawn Phillips: 25

Bruce Carter: 24

Kemal Ishmael: 21

Ricardo Allen: 21

De’Vondre Campbell: 21

Keanu Neal: 21

Takkarist McKinley: 21

Justin Zimmer: 18

Deadrin Senat: 18

Grady Jarrett: 18

Ryan Neal: 17

Vic Beasley: 17

Jack Crawford: 16

Allen Bailey: 15

Jacob Tuioti-Mariner: 15

Parker Baldwin: 14

John Cominsky: 14

Blidi Wreh-Wilson: 13

Durrant Miles: 12

Tyeler Davison: 12

Yurik Bethune: 10

Chris Odom: 10

Adrian Clayborn: 9

Kendall Sheffield: 7

Damontae Kazee: 7

Duke Riley: 6

Stephone Anthony: 6

Tre’ Crawford: 5

Chase Middleton: 4

---

It’s a good sign for Cooper (who was kind of pressed into action) and Neasman (who wasn’t, but played well) that they led the defense in snaps. Neasman has seemed like a no-brainer for a roster spot given his experience, well-rounded game, and after the team didn’t prioritize playing time for him earlier in the summer it’s nice to see him getting a shot and playing well, as per usual.

It’s notable that Del’Shawn Phillips and Jermaine Grace seem to be getting the longest looks at linebacker. Tre’ Crawford stood out in minicamp and Yurik Bethune had a killer first game against the Broncos, but Grace has been stellar and Philips has proven to be a sure tackler with a nose for the ball in his opportunities thus far. With Duke Riley still barely playing, I’m not going to completely rule out the possibility that both guys could actually make this roster, though Grace is the betting favorite.

Finally, it’s a good sign for Austin Larkin that he got the longer look we advocated for a week ago, and acquitted himself well. There may be an open defensive end spot for him yet.

Special Teams

Yurik Bethune: 13

Austin Larkin: 12

Sharrod Neasman: 12

Marcus Green: 11

Ricky Ortiz: 10

Parker Baldwin: 10

Jaeden Graham: 9

Del’Shawn Phillips: 9

Kemal Ishmael: 9

Chris Cooper: 8

Jordan Miller: 8

Duke Riley: 8

John Cominsky: 8

Blidi Wreh-Wilson: 8

---

Bethune, Larkin, Phillips and Neasman all got real time on defense and time on special teams as well, while Marcus Green continues to get very few looks on offense but is carving out a role on special teams. It’ll likely take winning the return job for Green to actually make this roster.