The Falcons began the process of trimming the roster down to the mandatory 53 players before heading into their first regular season game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Today the Falcons released kicker Shayne Graham and tackle Bryce Harris. The team also waived nine players: defensive end Nordly Capi, tackle Laurence Gibson, defensive end Malliciah Goodman, defensive tackle Cory Johnson, cornerback Devonte Johnson, safety Damian Parms, offensive lineman Collin Rahrig, wide receiver Corey Washington, and linebacker Matt Wells.
Graham was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as a college free agent following the 2000 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech. He has spent time with 10 different teams, including his latest stop with the Falcons last season. Graham made the Pro Bowl in 2005 when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Last season, he played in five games for Atlanta and went 11-of-13 on field goals, while making all of his extra point attempts.
With the release of Graham, Matt Bryant will assume the role of starting kicker heading into week one.
Harris was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft. He played in one game as a reserve offensive lineman with the Falcons in 2015. Harris previously spent three seasons with the Saints, seeing action in 34 games with four starts.
Capi was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a college free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent part of the 2015 season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.
Gibson was originally selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent the 2015 season as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.
Goodman was selected as the first of two fourth round (127th overall) draft choices by Atlanta in 2013. In three seasons, he saw action in 33 games with 11 starts while totaling 32 tackles (17 solo), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one pass defensed.
Johnson was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a college free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. As a senior in 2015, he made 67 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and two sacks. He returned a fumble 77 yards for a score against Tennessee.
Johnson was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a college free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft out of Weber State.
Parms was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft.
Rahrig was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a college free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent the final two weeks of the 2015 season as a member of the Falcons practice squad.
Washington was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals following the 2014 NFL Draft out of Newberry College. He was then signed by the New York Giants and played in 14 games during his rookie season, recording five receptions for 52 yards.
Wells was drafted in the sixth round (178th overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State.
The roster now stands at 64 men, with 11 moves left to be made by the end of the day Saturday, September 3.
