Falcons roster BREAKDOWN
The Falcons trimmed their roster from 90-men to 52-players heading into the first regular season game against the Philadelphia eagles. the following players will enter the season on Atlanta's roster.
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan has been one of the most consistent players this organization has seen. Since 2008, the 10-year veteran has helped lead the franchise to eight seasons of eight-or-more wins and six playoff appearances. Ryan was selected as AP Rookie Offensive Player of the Year in 2008, AP Offensive Player of the year and AP NFL MVP in 2016. This offseason, the Falcons agreed to terms with Ryan on a five-year extension. Over the last two years, Matt Schaub has brought a veteran presence to the quarterbacks’ room and now brings even more experience having worked previously with second-year offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and first-year quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp. The University of Virginia alumnus has played in 145 games with 92 starts in 13 seasons, including his first three NFL seasons with the Falcons.
Roster Cuts: Garrett Grayson, Kurk Benkert
RUNNING BACKS
Running a wide-zone scheme means the Falcons prioritize running backs that can see running lanes and have the speed and quickness to make their cut and accelerate through the hole. The awareness to find running lanes and the speed to get into them are vital to the success of the team’s run game. Atlanta’s backfield boasts a two-pronged attack of dynamic runners in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. A two-time Pro Bowler, Freeman has earned a reputation as one of the league’s shiftiest backs, routinely putting defenders on skates in the open field. Meanwhile, the speedy Coleman is the team’s homerun hitter, possessing the speed to take any handoff to the house. Both Freeman and Coleman are also adept pass catchers out of the backfield, adding another facet to the Falcons offense.
In addition to the two veteran running backs, Atlanta will also carry rookie running back Ito Smith. Selected in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Southern Mississippi, Smith is also a talented runner and pass catcher. He is one of 10 players in FBS history to record more than 4000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards during his career.
Ricky Ortiz will serve as the team’s fullback in 2018. Ortiz saw action at linebacker, fullback, tight end and H-back during his time at Oregon State. He was a target for the Falcons as a college free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft, but was signed by the Baltimore Ravens where he spent time on the practice squad last season.
Roster Cuts: Justin Crawford, Jalston Fowler, Terrence Magee
Waived/Injured: Malik Williams
Wide Receivers
This wide receiver group has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL. With Julio Jones – arguably the best wide receiver in the league – and veteran wide out Mohamed Sanu, this group is looking to improve their production in year two under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and position coaches Raheem Morris and Dave Brock.
Head Coach Dan Quinn mentioned this offseason that Falcons were in the market for a player that could run fast along with Jones, Sanu and the rest of the receivers, and they believe they found that guy when they selected Calvin Ridley in the first round. Quinn and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff believe Ridley’s “powerful, quick and explosive” abilities to create separation from defenders should give Ryan another weapon to carve out defenses.
This unit will also feature Justin Hardy, who his teammates believe has the best hands on the team. Wide receivers Marvin Hall - who saw action in eight games last season - and rookie Russell Gage will be important pieces not only on the offensive side of the ball, but on special teams as well.
Roster Cuts: Christian Blake, Dontez Byrd, Reggie Davis, Devin Gray, Lamar Jordan, Julian Williams
Offensive Line
The offensive line shoulders a heavy burden for the Falcons as they are charged with clearing running lanes for the club’s dynamic backfield in the run game, as well as providing Ryan a clean pocket to throw from. Similar to the running back position, Atlanta’s zone running scheme requires a specific skill set from its offensive linemen. Speed and agility along with strength and solid technique are musts for an offensive line that needs to be able to hold their blocks as well as get to the second level.
The line will once again be anchored by center Alex Mack, a five-time Pro Bowler, whose knowledge of the scheme and ability to get assignments dialed in, particularly in the running game, helps to take pressure off of Ryan. At guard, the Falcons see Andy Levitre, Wes Schweitzer, and Ben Garland return. The addition of free agent Brandon Fusco during the offseason has allowed the coaching staff to cross train Schweitzer at both guard and center, giving the Falcons quality depth along the interior of the line.
Tackles Jake Matthew and Ryan Schraeder bookend a group that has tremendous experience operating within the scheme. Ty Sambrailo also returns to fill the swing tackle role where he will see action in some of Atlanta’s tackle-eligible “heavy sets”. College free agent Matt Gono adds additional depth to the tackle position.
Roster Cuts: Jamil Douglas, Sean Harlow, J.C. Hassenauer, Austin Pasztor, Salesi Uhatafe
Tight ends
Logan Paulsen has played in 105 games (52 starts) and was a key addition in the 2018 Free Agency to help bolster the Falcons’ need of a blocking tight end. Head Coach Dan Quinn sees the nine-year veteran as someone who has ‘the insight of a coach’ and someone who has helped the younger players on offense and in special teams. Austin Hooper, who is entering his third season, has improved his stats each season (caught 49 passes for 526 yards and three touchdowns in 2017) and put in a lot of work this offseason with Ryan.
Eric Saubert enters the season ready for more after seeing action in 14 games as a rookie in 2017. Head Coach Dan Quinn believes he knew all his assignments last year, but didn’t fully trust his training to take it to the next level. ‘He practiced hard, he studied hard, he went for it. Then this offseason, we are seeing that jump take place,’ Coach Quinn said on Aug. 8.
Roster Cuts: Jaeden Graham, Alex Gray, Troy Mangen
defensive line
This defensive line group, led by d-line coach Bryant Young, will look to be as relentless as they were in 2017 and continue to affect the opposing teams’ quarterbacks. The team recorded 28 sacks last season and with several of their budding young players returning this season, including Takk McKinley, Grady Jarrett, and Vic Beasley Jr., this defensive line will look to add to that number.
Opposing offenses will see a combination of Takk McKinley - who will be seeing more snaps in 2018 - Beasley Jr., and Brooks Reed coming off the edge and putting pressure on the quarterback. Quinn has told reporters this offseason that Beasley Jr. will be returning to his pass rusher position full time, a position he's familiar with, as he led the league in sacks in 2016 while rushing the passer full time.
Along with rushing the passer, this defense takes pride in stopping the run and understands that is the key to controlling the game. Jarrett, Jack Crawford, and Derrick Shelby are returning this season, and with the help of the free agent signing of Terrell McClain, these guys will look to make plays in the backfield and eat up blocks, while taking on double-teams freeing up the linebackers to make plays. Rookie defensive tackle Deadrin Senat will also be another major addition and a rotational piece on the defensive line. Quinn and Dimitroff drafted Senat because they believe he is an “active inside guy,” who can help the veterans, who ranked in the top 10 in rush defense last year, continue to sure up the middle of the defensive line. College free agent Justin Zimmer earned a place on the roster after a strong preseason.
Roster Cuts: Mackendy Cheridor, Jon Cunningham, J.T. Jones, Garrison Smith, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
Linebackers
One of the position groups that has been overhauled by Quinn since his arrival in Atlanta has been the linebackers. While the group has certainly changed from a personnel standpoint, the philosophy that Quinn has brought to the defense certainly comes through at linebacker. Perhaps no group on the roster embodies Quinn’s ‘Fast and Physical’ mantra more than this one.
Viewed as undersized coming out of LSU, Deion Jones' blend of speed, intelligence, and intuition have helped him become one of the league’s top players at his position. His draft classmate, De’Vondre Campbell has a unique blend of size and speed that give him the tools to do a little bit of everything from rushing the passer to covering tight ends. Duke Riley is another LSU product that the Falcons believe can blossom in this defense. A gritty player with an impressive skill set, Riley will be relied on when the Falcons roll out their base defensive alignment.
The linebacking corps is one of the youngest groups on the roster. Kemal Ishmael serves as the elder of the group with Jones and Campbell entering their third seasons and Riley beginning his second. Along with those four veterans, the Falcons have rookie Foyesade Oluokun, a sixth-round pick out of Yale. Oluokun will be key to Atlanta’s special teams' efforts this season as he brings the combination of speed and size that are required to set up returns and cover kicks. With the changes to the kickoff rules, teams need players that are strong enough to hold blocks, but also fast enough to cover ground. College free agent Richard Dewey Jarvis will provide additional depth at linebacker and on special teams.
Roster Cuts: Jonathan Celestin, Emmanuel Ellerbee, Emmanuel Smith, Anthony Wimbish
defensive backs
Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant were both drafted by Atlanta in 2013 and have started 53 games side by side. The sixth-year cornerbacks bring a veteran presence a consistent hard working effort that shows throughout the defensive backs room.
Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal are the returning starters in the backfield. Allen, who many look to as a leader in the "Brotherhood," recently agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension. Meanwhile, the third-year safety from the University of Florida has continuously improved on his statistics each year. The team will also see second year safety Damontae Kazee return. Kazee showed growth in the preseason, stepping up in games while Allen was out. The Falcons added more safety depth by trading for safety Jordan Richards. The former Stanford Cardinal has seen action in 41 games, with seven starts, over his three years in New England. During that time, he racked up 42 total tackles and nine special teams tackles.
This offseason, the Falcons added seventh-year cornerback Justin Bethel for depth and a primary focus on strengthening special teams. The team will continue to look to cornerback Brian Poole to be the nickel. Poole totaled 63 tackles and four passes defensed in 2017 at the nickel position last season. CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson will add depth to the secondary room and he will be looked at to be a contributor on special teams. The Falcons drafted CB Isaiah Oliver in the second round of this year's draft. Oliver will add depth to the secondary and be an important piece on special teams as well.
Roster Cuts: Marcelis Branch, Deante Burton, Secdrick Cooper, Tyson Graham, Chris Lammons, Ryan Neal, Ron Parker
Injury Settlement: Leon McFadden
specialists
Under the leadership of Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong, the Falcons have one of the longest-tenured specialists unit, as the group enters their seventh season together.
Since joining the Falcons in 2009, Matt Bryant has become the Falcons all-time leading scorer with 1,029 points. The seventeen-year veteran became just the fourth player in NFL history to hit two 50+ yard field goals in a playoff game in the Falcons Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Rams during the 2017 post-season. The Baylor alum currently ranks fourth in the NFL for most active made field goals with 368. This offseason Bryant agreed to terms on a three-year extension with the Falcons, keeping him with club through 2020.
Matt Bosher, entering his eighth season with the Falcons, has quietly become one of the NFL’s top-rated punters. Last season, the punter recorded 49 touchbacks on kickoffs, which was tied for seventh most in the league. Josh Harris has shown his consistency since being signed by the Falcons as a college free agent in 2012. The Auburn alum has played in all 96 games since becoming the long-snapper for Bryant and Bosher.
Roster Cuts: David Marvin, Giorgio Tavecchio