What will the Week 1 Falcons starting lineup look like?

The Falcons start the season against the Vikings, a very good football team. That’s why it’s important that their starting lineup, not to mention key reserves, look really good.

This is my projection for the starting lineup, and it tracks with the Falcons’ interesting habit of listing three defensive ends and two linebackers among their starters at times in preseason. It also accounts for Ricky Ortiz making a start at fullback, under the assumption that he won’t be ceding his roster spot to another player in Week 1. In reality, you’re likely to see much more of Damontae Kazee on the field than sets with Bailey, Beasley and Takk, and you’re going to see way more work with three receivers and two tight ends than Ortiz, but I think this is pretty close to what we’ll actually see the Falcons announce.

It looks pretty good on paper!

Week 1 starting lineup

QB Matt Ryan

RB Devonta Freeman

FB Ricky Ortiz

WR Julio Jones

WR Calvin Ridley

TE Austin Hooper

LT Jake Matthews

LG James Carpenter

C Alex Mack

RG Chris Lindstrom

RT Matt Gono

DE Takkarist McKinley

DE Allen Bailey

DE Vic Beasley

DT Grady Jarrett

DT Tyeler Davison

LB Deion Jones

LB De’Vondre Campbell

CB Desmond Trufant

CB Isaiah Oliver

FS Ricardo Allen

SS Keanu Neal