Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here belong to Matthew Tabeek and not the Atlanta Falcons, unless noted otherwise.

ATLANTA – The Falcons have six tight ends on their roster at the moment – and all six bring something a little different to the table. It's a versatile group and because of that, it will allow them to be more flexible (and creative) when comprising their final roster.

In the end, however, they'll likely only keep half of that number on the final 53-man roster, too.

Overview

Star on the rise: Austin Hooper has played just three seasons in the NFL, but his stats have improved every single year. The former third-round draft pick set career highs with 71 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns in 2018 and was named as an alternate to the 2019 Pro Bowl.

Versatile addition: The Falcons signed Luke Stocker in free agency back in early March. Stocker is considered to be a dependable blocker and is also capable of lining up at fullback. Another plus? He's played for both Dirk Koetter and Mike Mularkey, who are the Falcons' new offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, respectively. They know what Stocker can (and can't) do and will take full advantage of him in this offense.

Recent history

Here are the number of tight ends the Falcons have kept in previous seasons:

• 2017 initial roster: 3 tight ends
• 2018 initial roster: 3 tight ends

Locks

• Austin Hooper
• Luke Stocker
• Logan Paulsen

On the bubble

• Alex Gray
• Thomas Duarte
• Jaeden Graham

Tabeek's prediction

• 2019 roster forecast: 3 tight ends

There was a time when it looked like there might be some interesting training camp and preseason battles unfolding in this group. But once the Falcons traded Eric Saubert to the New England Patriots and then Jaeden Graham went down with a knee injury against the Washington Redskins, the picture here cleared up considerably. There's a possibility that Graham could play in the final preseason game at Jacksonville on Thursday night. Regardless, the second-year player out of Yale had a very good game against the Jets, catching four passes for 55 yards. I think the Falcons like him a lot, but he'll probably end up on the practice squad.

• Austin Hooper
• Luke Stocker
• Logan Paulsen

Predicting the 53-man roster

• Aug. 26: Running backs (4)
• Aug. 26: Defensive line (10)
• Aug. 27: Cornerbacks (6)
• Aug. 27: Offensive line (9)
• Aug. 27: Tight ends (3)
• Aug. 28: Safeties (4)
• Aug. 28: Linebackers (5)
• Aug. 28: Receivers (6)
• Aug. 29: Quarterbacks (2)
• Aug. 29: Special teams (4)

Projected practice squad

There's always a chance that the Falcons could sign a player who is not currently on their roster, but if they stick with their own players, this is my projected 10-player practice squad:

• RB Tony Brooks-James
• WR Christian Blake
• DE Tre' Crawford
• DE Austin Larkin
• DE Durrant Miles
• TE Jaeden Graham
• OT Jaelin Robinson
• S Chris Cooper
• QB Danny Etling
• LB Del'Shawn Phillips

Projected practice squad

There's always a chance that the Falcons could sign a player who is not currently on their roster, but if they stick with their own players, this is my projected 10-player practice squad:

• RB Tony Brooks-James
• WR Christian Blake
• DE Tre' Crawford
• DE Austin Larkin
• DE Durrant Miles
• TE Jaeden Graham
• OT Jaelin Robinson
• S Chris Cooper
• QB Danny Etling
• LB Del'Shawn Phillips

Falcons 2019 roster

• Current depth chart
• Complete team roster

What do you think?

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Falcons Audible podcast

Matt Tabeek and Will McFadden weigh in with their final thoughts before roster cuts.