The final cutdown day is Tuesday, August 27. The Atlanta Falcons waived their first wave of players (13) on Sunday the 25th. This is a prediction of who will still be on the active roster come Wednesday morning.
Projecting the Atlanta Falcons Final 53-Man Roster
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, Jr., Taylor Heinicke (3)
Cousins was a lock the second he signed his contract. Penix was a lock the second he was drafted. Heinicke has been the subject of trade talk or even being released, but the hunch here is Atlanta wants him around for his experience and savvy.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, Jase McClellan (4)
Robinson and Allgeier are locks. Williams is a bit of a projection, but he offers a change of pace compared to the other three, plus he has return skills and was also a prolific kick blocker in college. McClellan gets the edge over Carlos Washington because he’s a draft pick of the current regime.
Wide Receivers
Drake London, Darnell Mooney, RayRay McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington, Chris Blair (6)
London, Mooney, McCloud, and Hodge are locks. Washington sticks for the same reason McClellan does at running back. Blair sticks because he’s had a great preseason (the injuries to Rondale Moore and Jakeem Grant and the release of James Washington helped him out, too.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley (3)
This might finally be the year Pitts blows it up. Woerner is the designated blocking tight end. Dwelley’s experience gives him an edge over John FitzPatrick.
Offensive Line
Jake Matthews, Matt Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Storm Norton, Kyle Hinton, Ryan Neuzil (8)
The makeup of this group was never really in doubt as long as everyone stayed healthy. The only likely change is if Jovaughn Gwyn beats out Hinton or Neuzil (or is kept as a ninth lineman).
Defensive Line
Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Zach Harrison, Eddie Goldman, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Kentavius Street, Ta’Quon Graham (8)
This is arguably the deepest unit on the team. The opportunity is here for a lot of rotating and situation-specific grouping. This kind of depth allows everyone to stay fresh over the course of a game and over the course of a season.
Edge Rushers
Matthew Judon, Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, DeAngelo Malone (4)
Judon and Carter will be the starters, with Ebiketie coming off the bench as a pass-rush specialist. Malone sticks almost purely for what he brings on special teams.
Linebackers
Kaden Ellis, Nate Landman, Troy Andersen, JD Bertrand (4)
The only question here is who is the starter next to Ellis; Landman or Andersen?
Cornerbacks
AJ Terrell, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, Dee Alford, Antonio Hamilton, Kevin King (6)
Having Hughes as the #2 CB might be the biggest weakness on the roster. King has taken full advantage of this second chance in the NFL. He may see snaps at safety as well as corner.
Safeties
Jessie Bates, Justin Simmons, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy (4)
Bates and Simmons could be the best tandem in the NFL this year.
Specialists
Younghoe Koo (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Liam McCullough (LS)
Barring injury, this group was never in doubt.
Main Image: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
