MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Game day is upon the Atlanta Falcons for the first time in 2024.
After a pair of joint practices spent with the Miami Dolphins, the two teams will face off Friday at 7 p.m. ET under the lights of Hard Rock Stadium.
Starters are unlikely to play, and that includes Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, among multiple others. This is normal for the preseason. What that means, though, is the Falcons coaching staff can evaluate their other options with players they perhaps need to see more of or those who have already caught their eye during training camp.
Considering the Falcons currently boast a 90-man roster that will need to be pared down to 53 come Aug. 27, this live evaluation is crucial. There are a lot of decisions that must be made by this month's end. There are a lot of players whose future in Atlanta hinges on these exhibition moments, but its also the first opportunity Falcons faithful have to see some the most recent batch of draft picks.
So, the Falcons editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden and Terrin Waack each picked a player who they'll be keeping their eye on Friday night. And funny enough, it's the latter batch they've focused in on.
McELHANEY: Michael Penix Jr.
This is the show, right? Seeing Penix in a Falcons uniform? Well, according to Raheem Morris Wednesday, you can expect to see a fair amount of Penix in the pocket Friday night. How much or how little is up for debate, but a quarter or two shouldn't be out of the question.
This is the first live action we will see of Penix, and if all bodes well for Cousins over the next few years, the preseason may be all we see of Penix for a while. At least, that's the scenario the Falcons established when they drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Cousins is the present, while Penix is the future.
Friday is a chance to evaluate the future in the present, at least as much as you can with starters on both sides taking a back seat in the first preseason game. Regardless, Penix's performance will be one many across the league take notice of, whether it be good, bad or somewhere in the middle. That includes yours truly.
McFADDEN: Casey Washington
This pick carries some additional weight in light of the unfortunate news that Rondale Moore has been placed on Atlanta’s reserve/injured list, but Washington was always a strong contender for this spot to me. I've really liked what I've seen from the Falcons rookie at times, but Friday night could give him the chance to shine.
I don't expect Drake London to play on Friday, and it seems unlikely Darnell Mooney or Ray-Ray McCloud III would either if the starting offense doesn't suit up. That should set the stage for Washington to get a lot of work. Part of the reason Atlanta's staff liked Washington coming out of Illinois was because of their vision for him in multiple different roles. We'll potentially get a better idea of what that looks like against the Dolphins.
WAACK: Bralen Trice
The rookie outside linebacker has made a splash very early on in his Atlanta tenure, receiving a substantial amount of first-team reps in training camp. Noticeably more than any newcomer. Trice himself literally said he "got thrown out there," and as I wrote before: He did not sink. He swam. Hence, the splash already mentioned.
I'm interested to see him in live play, too. Coaches and players alike have complimented Trice's pass-rush instincts, how natural he is on the playing field. It should come as no shock, considering Trice led all FBS players in total pressures the last two seasons of college ball, according to Dane Brugler’s “The Beast.” The NFL is a different beast, though. Friday will be the first indication if he can tame this one as well.
The Falcons are also looking for a man to step up and take over the edge. There's no reason Trice can't be that guy. What will be interesting, however, is who else gets opportunities against the Dolphins at this position. For example, it wouldn't be surprising to see Arnold Ebiketie also get a shot. Ebiketie did step up this week, as Trice missed Tuesday's practice due to an illness and likely wasn't 100% Wednesday when he did participate, as Morris said pre-practice that the Falcons would keep an eye on his reps because of the heat and humidity.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Defensive lineman James Smith-Williams. Running back Carlos Washington Jr. Outside linebackers Demone Harris and Bradlee Anae. Cornerback Clark Phillips III.
