FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons' third and final preseason game has come and gone, so that means it's time for the editorial team's third and final 53-man roster projection.
The NFL deadline for team's to meet the 53-man roster requirement is closer than ever: Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. After going 0-3 in exhibition play, perhaps due to all starters and most backups sitting out for much of the action, the Falcons brass have some big decisions ahead. Atlanta released 13 players on Sunday, meaning another 24 names must still be cut.
Before everything becomes official, it's beat writer Terrin Waack's turn to take a whack at predicting what the Falcons' 53-man roster will look like come Tuesday evening.
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3)
Kirk Cousins | Michael Penix Jr. | Taylor Heinicke
Honestly, I went back and forth with Taylor Heinicke. Solely because of the rule change to the emergency third quarterback this year. That player can now be a practice squad member who has unlimited elevations. The problem, though, is that player would have to be released before joining the practice squad, which means another team could swoop in and sign him. That's not a risk I am willing to take, so Heinicke lands a 53-man spot along with starter Kirk Cousins and backup Michael Penix Jr.
Besides, Heinicke literally pitched his case Friday. I respect a player declaring what he wants.
UPDATE (Monday, 12:20 p.m. ET): According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the NFLPA vetoed the revised emergency third quarterback rule. The rule therefore reverted to the 2023 version, which requires the emergency third quarterback to be on the 53-man roster, not a practice squad elevation.
Running back (4)
Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier | Avery Williams | Jase McClellan
I have no doubt Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Avery Williams will make the cut. Robinson and Allgeier are one of the best young running back duos in the game. Williams' return to the return game has been highly anticipated since an injury sidelined him all of last season, especially now that the revamped kickoff format figures to reinvigorate that aspect of play. So, special teams locked him in.
Jase McClellan got the edge over Carlos Washington Jr. for two reasons. McClellan performed better than Washington in preseason games – 24 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown compared to 29 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. Washington also appears more likely to clear waivers and be available to sign on the practice squad than McClellan, who was one of the Falcons' sixth-round draft picks.
Wide receiver (5)
Drake London | Darnell Mooney | Ray-Ray McCloud III | KhaDarel Hodge | Casey Washington
The loss of Rondale Moore to injured reserve opened the door for Chris Blair, who kicked it right down. Blair dominated the preseason. Out of all NFL players, he finished tied for the fourth-most receiving yards with 154 through three exhibition games.
However, you'll notice Blair's name is not listed above. This was, personally, the most difficult cut to make. And it came down to two reasons: First off, I expect the Falcons will keep sixth-round draft pick Casey Washington over Blair for depth. Secondly, well, you'll find out later when we get to the outside linebackers.
Tight end (3)
Kyle Pitts | Charlie Woerner | Ross Dwelley
Neither Kyle Pitts nor Charlie Woerner are strangers to Atlanta. Pitts has been with the Falcons since they drafted him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Woerner only signed with the Falcons this offseason but is native to the state and played at the University of Georgia. Pitts and Woerner are also both key assets to the Falcons with different strengths. Pitts is a unique and dynamic receiving threat, while Woerner is a blocking beast. What a complementary pair.
Ross Dwelley, another strong blocker, earned the advantage over John FitzPatrick because he didn't play nearly as much in the preseason as FitzPatrick. That spoke volumes given Falcons head coach Raheem Morris' reluctance to play starters or key reserves in the exhibition games.
Offensive line (8)
Jake Matthews | Matthew Bergeron | Drew Dalman | Chris Lindstrom | Kaleb McGary | Ryan Neuzil | Kyle Hinton | Storm Norton
All five from last year's starting line are back. That is great for the Falcons’ offense. No questions or concerns there.
During the preseason, the right side of the backup line proved to be strong. That's why guard Kyle Hinton and tackle Storm Norton got the extra nods, along with center Ryan Neuzil. If anyone else were to claim a spot, it would have been left guard Jovaughn Gwyn, who earned praise at times, too. Wouldn't be surprising to see him land on the practice squad.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (8)
Grady Jarrett | David Onyemata | Ta'Quon Graham | Zach Harrison | Eddie Goldman | Kentavius Street | Ruke Orhorhoro | Brandon Dorlus
Will called Tori crazy for keeping eight defensive linemen. Then, he did the same. Now, I am, too. So, I guess we're all crazy on the editorial team. But seriously, who of these eight could be cut? If I had to choose, I guess I'd go with either Eddie Goldman or Kentavius Street. Only, I can't justify cutting one over the other. They both impressed throughout the preseason, especially on the scrimmage day. Therefore, they both deserve to stay. Neither played against the Baltimore Ravens, either, which also makes me think they're safe since that's when the approach shifted to sitting those who had proven enough already.
A release I didn't want to make but ultimately did was Zion Logue. He's the only draft pick who didn't make the cut. Unlike the others, including fellow sixth-rounders McClellan and Washington, I rarely ever heard his name, which speaks volumes.
Outside linebacker (5)
Matthew Judon | Lorenzo Carter | Arnold Ebiketie | James Smith-Williams | DeAngelo Malone
The reason I nixed Blair among the wide receivers was to add DeAngelo Malone here, something neither Tori nor Will did. The other four names above were no-doubters. Malone, though, won the advantage over Blair in a late internal debate because Malone is a better save for special teams. He had a team-high six tackles in special teams coverage. I think special teams coordinator Marquice Williams earns this over offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
After Bralen Trice was placed on injured reserve, Demone Harris and Bradlee Anae started showing out. Issue is, it was a little too late. Because when the Falcons signed Matthew Judon, that opportunity to step up was shut down. Anae was among the first 13 players the team released Sunday.
Inside linebacker (4)
Kaden Elliss | Troy Andersen | Nate Landman | JD Bertrand
Was there ever any doubt? What will be interesting, though, is whether Kaden Elliss (groin) and Nate Landman (quad) are good to go health-wise by Week 1. Both are nursing injuries sustained later in the preseason, and neither played a single exhibition snap.
Morris said after Friday's preseason game they're both day-to-day. Elliss had suited up for warmups with the rest of the team, but Landman did not. If they're for some reason not OK by Sept. 8, at least JD Bertrand received first-team reps alongside Troy Andersen during the Falcons' practice and scrimmage last week.
Cornerback (6)
A.J. Terrell | Mike Hughes | Dee Alford | Clark Phillips III | Antonio Hamilton Sr. | Kevin King
A.J. Terrell isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Mike Hughes was listed as Terrell's starting partner in each preseason depth chart, so that may be the answer to the position battle between him and Clark Phillips III. Phillips, though, is more than a solid backup option. Otherwise, Dee Alford will continue with his regularly scheduled nickel slotting. And then Antonio Hamilton Sr. provides even more depth if anything were to happen.
The thing about Kevin King is he could also fall in the position group below. King played both at cornerback and safety in preseason games. That versatility should be beneficial to the Falcons, and it has landed King back on an active NFL roster — at least in my book.
Safety (4)
Jessie Bates III | Justin Simmons | Richie Grant | DeMarcco Hellams
One of the biggest questions entering training camp was who would start opposite Jessie Bates III. At the time, the choice was between Richie Grant and DeMarcco Hellams. But then Hellams injured his ankle in the preseason opener, which Morris said would keep him out for a significant amount of time. So, it seemed the role would simply go to Grant for the time being. Then, the Falcons signed Justin Simmons, who's a four-time Associated Press second-team All-Pro. So, now, the pairing will likely be Bates and Simmons, with two strong backups in Grant and Hellams.
If the Falcons do place Hellams on injured reserve, I'd expect Micah Abernathy to fill that void. He did just that during the preseason. And I know the coaching staff, especially assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray, thinks very highly of him.
SPECIAL TEAMS
SPECIALISTS (3)
Kicker: Younghoe Koo | Punter: Bradley Pinion | Long snapper: Liam McCullough
There's really nothing to say here. These three are obvious.
