Breaking down the Atlanta Falcons roster for opening day
By Brad Rowland
The Atlanta Falcons, along with every other team in the NFL, were forced to slash their roster to 53 players over the weekend, and that provides for a fantastic opportunity to discuss front office decision making! In that vein, let’s take a quick look at each position group, and what transpired to reach the “opening day” roster.
Quarterback
Matt Ryan, T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree
It is fairly surprising that Thomas Dimitroff and company elected to carry three quarterbacks, but it is also defensible. Renfree was clearly better during the exhibition slate, but Yates is significantly more experienced at this level, and it isn’t crazy to think that he would still receive the first crack should an injury occur with Matt Ryan. Still, Renfree looks like the better long-term prospect, and it would have been risky to attempt to sneak him through to the practice squad.
Running Back
Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith, Devonta Freeman
The order in which the running backs are listed (as well as every position) refers to the “official” depth chart, and it looks pretty solid. Freeman is obviously the most interesting player on the list, as many believe he could generate significant upside if given the opportunity, but he sits fourth at the moment. There were no surprises in terms of cuts here, but it will be interesting to see how the carries are allotted in the early going, especially if Jackson is limited at all by injury.
Wide Receiver
Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, Devin Hester, Eric Weems, Courtney Roby
Following the top four (which were a given), there are some question marks surrounding the selections of Weems and Roby. Weems was brought in late in the process and with a higher dollar figure, giving him the inside track, but many pundits surrounding the team would have preferred Bernard Reedy to Courtney Roby in the final slot. Frankly, I’m fine with how it turned out, and if Bernard Reedy is generating this level of attention, things have gone horribly wrong with Jones and/or White.
Tight End
This is ugly, but we knew it would be. Toilolo should be a red zone target with his massive frame, but Pascoe is an emergency-only player in the passing game who will be called upon in goal line and short yardage. It has always been the plan to replace Tony Gonzalez with an additional wide receiver in the majority of packages, but the fact that Dimitroff is willing to go into the season with just these two tight ends locks that theory into place.
Offensive Line
Jake Matthews, Lamar Holmes, Gabe Carimi, Ryan Schraeder (Tackles), Justin Blalock, Jon Asamoah (Guards), Joe Hawley, Peter Konz, James Stone (Centers)
I have one issue, and one issue alone here. James Stone making the roster over Harland Gunn is a curious decision (to be kind), and I’ve been vocal about my desire to see Gunn in the final group to bring a nasty streak. Still, the biggest concerns are right tackle and the backups on the interior (i.e. Peter Konz), and neither of those were going to be addressed with in-house promotion.
Defensive Line
Jonathan Babineaux, Kroy Biermann, Jonathan Massaquoi, Osi Umenyiora, Malliciah Goodman, Stansly Maponga, Tyler Starr (Defensive Ends), Paul Soliai, Tyson Jackson, Ra’Shede Hageman, Corey Peters, Cliff Matthews (Defensive Tackles)
Pass rush is probably the chief concern on the entire roster at this point, and that isn’t changing. However, the group of defensive linemen assembled during the off-season appears to be quite strong against the run, and that is a noticeable upgrade. Soliai is the stud of the group, but depth isn’t a concern anymore, and as long as this isn’t the 32nd-ranked unit in rushing the passer, things have gone swimmingly. It will be interesting to see how much Massaquoi and Biermann are deployed at linebacker, but other than that, no surprises.
Linebackers
Paul Worrilow, Joplo Bartu, Prince Shembo, Nate Stupar
At first glance, this is a disaster area, but it is important to note that the Falcons list their roster in a “base” nickel package, and with that said, we’ll see plenty of other options. Many believe that linebacker is a glaring weakness, and while it certainly isn’t a strength, Prince Shembo’s addition could make it a serviceable crew. Worrilow, if healthy, will likely be among the league leaders in tackles, and aside from the element of the unknown with the newly-signed Stupar, I’m not worried.
Defensive Backs
Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Josh Wilson, Javier Arenas, Robert McClain (Cornerbacks), William Moore, Dwight Lowery, Kemal Ishmael, Dezmon Southward (Safeties)
The Falcons elected to leave fifth-round pick Ricardo Allen off the final roster (he is, however, on the practice squad), and that is the biggest cut of note. The secondary should be just fine on the whole, and the biggest concern in my mind is keeping William Moore and Dwight Lowery upright for the entire season. At cornerback, Trufant and Alford are the studs, but the other trio is more than serviceable, and aside from injury disaster, it will be an above-average crew.
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Stay tuned for all your Atlanta Falcons coverage including the season opener on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.