Atlanta Falcons: Position Battles To Watch Going Into Preseason

With Preseason only a few short weeks away, there are a couple of position battles in the Atlanta Falcons’ depth chart that you might want to keep your eye on.

Going into the 2018 season, the Atlanta Falcons are riddled with talent at every position in the depth chart. During the draft, however, the Falcons selected players that we either a need to fix a weak link, or players that we just want. For instance, Atlanta selected Calvin Ridley in the first round. It was not necessarily a need, although there is an argument that Ridley was definitely a need. Moreover, it was definitely more of a “Best Available” kind of selection, which is a “want” pick.

Now with Preseason only a few short weeks away, the position battle that you might want to keep your eye on has to be at the Nickel-back/Cornerback position.

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In the Draft, we selected Isaiah Oliver out of Colorado in the second round, who is an absolute beast at the Cornerback position. He has all the tangibles. Speed, strength, size, height…you name it, he’s got it. Brian Poole, the Undrafted Free Agent out of Florida, and who currently plays the Nickel-back position, may, unfortunately, be on his way out of that position and may find himself playing more Cornerback or Safety. Poole has been everything but bad for the Atlanta Falcons since he was picked up back in 2016, but his smaller frame and slightly slower speed puts him at a disadvantage in that position.

Isaiah Oliver is the total package in the Nickel position, but do not rule out Brian Poole. Poole’s determination and overall athletic ability is unlike any other. He is not out of the race for this position.

A dark horse candidate for the Nickel or Cornerback position would have to go to Demontae Kazee.

The fifth-round pick back in 2017 has shown what he has under the hood. As the season went on last year, he kept getting better and better. He seemed to be getting more comfortable being on a big stage and under the brighter lights.

Last season, he played mostly Safety and Special Teams. This season, however, he may give Brian Poole and Isaiah Oliver fits during the Preseason, as he might be looking for a starting role. It might, very well, be at the Nickel Position.

Honorable Mention: Offensive Guard

Last season, the one gaping hole the actually gave fans an eyesore was the Offensive Guard position. The Atlanta Falcons lost Chris Chester after the 2016 season, and have yet to get back into a consistent groove with that position. Atlanta drafted Wes Schweitzer out of San Jose State in the Sixth round back in 2017, but has yet to really prove anything. Ben Garland has also stepped up, and switched to that position, last season, after playing Defensive Tackle the season prior. Also, Andy Levitre, who has been good and consistent for the Falcons, could not keep himself off of the Injury Reserve list last season.

Now with one season down with that whole mess, the Falcons picked up Brandon Fusco in Free Agency who is supposed to bolster the Offensive Guard position as well as the entire Offensive Line. Furthermore, it may be a given that he will start, but the question is: Who will be his partner?

Right now, it seems to be 50/50 between Schweitzer and Garland. Some may say that it is going more towards Garland, and some may say it is going more towards Schweitzer. This is what Preseason is for. Only time will tell with this position, and it truly depends on who will outplay the other.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Who are the top 5 Offensive Linemen of All-Time for the Falcons?

What position battles do you think will be interesting to watch during the Preseason? Let me know down below.

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