Falcons project final 53-man roster and practice squad
The analyst outlines a projected 53-man roster and practice squad for the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the upcoming season, noting key position battles and recent player performances.
Atlanta is expected to announce its final 53-man roster and practice squad after the third preseason game, with cutdowns occurring on Sunday instead of the usual Tuesday. The projected roster includes four quarterbacks—Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush and undrafted free agent Jack Strand—with Penix favored to win the starting job if healthy. Running backs Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson and Tyler Goodson are listed, while tight ends Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Austin Hooper and Nick Muse are projected to fill the four-tight-end slots.
The wide-receiver group features Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Zachariah Branch, Olamide Zaccheaus and Chris Blair, reflecting the team’s anticipated use of three-receiver sets. On the offensive line, starters Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Ryan Neuzil, Chris Lindstrom, Jawaan Taylor, Michael Jerrell, Ethan Onianwa, Corey Levin and Wanya Morris are projected, with Kyle Hinton likely placed on injured reserve.
Defensively, the edge includes Za’Darius Smith, Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, Azeez Ojulari and Bralen Trice, while the interior line lists Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, LaCale London, Da’Shawn Hand and Maason Smith. Linebackers Divine Deablo, Kendal Daniels, Christian Harris, Harold Perkins Jr. and Josh Woods round out the unit. Cornerbacks A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Avieon Terrell, C.J. Henderson, Darnay Holmes and a special-teams player such as Mike Ford Jr. are projected, and safeties Jessie Bates III, Xavier Watts, Sydney Brown and DeMarcco Hellams complete the secondary.
Special teams are expected to retain kicker Nick Folk, punter Jake Bailey and long snapper Liam McCullough, with Zachariah Branch and Tyler Goodson handling return duties. The practice squad includes a mix of positional depth players such as running back Cash Jones, wide receivers Vinny Anthony II and Dylan Drummond, tight ends Jack Velling and Josh Simon, and additional defensive and special-teams candidates.
"Za’Darius Smith has impressed the coaching staff early and brings veteran swagger to the edge group," the analyst noted. > "The Falcons’ interior defensive line remains one of the most underrated units in football," he added.
The projections reflect recent preseason performances, injuries and a recent eight-game suspension for James Pearce Jr., which has impacted the edge-rusher depth.