Official: Falcons 2019 roster: Position-by-position breakdown

[FalconBlood23 1,769]

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-2019-roster-position-by-position-breakdown

 

The Atlanta Falcons trimmed their roster down to 52 players on Saturday (kicker Matt Bryant agreed to terms but has not signed officially, but we're counting him below). Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of roster as the team heads into the 2019 regular season. It's worth noting that beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, teams can begin signing players to their 10-man practice squad.

Let’s start with the offense:

 

Quarterbacks (2)

• Matt Ryan
• Matt Schaub

Analysis: No big surprises here. Matt Schaub will serve as Matt Ryan's backup for the fifth season.

 

Wide receivers (6)

• Julio Jones
• Mohamed Sanu
• Calvin Ridley
• Russell Gage
• Justin Hardy
• Olamide Zaccheaus

Analysis: Undrafted free agent Olamide Zaccheaus earned the final spot. Zaccheaus made several impressive catches throughout training camp and the preseason and also showed he can return punts for the Falcons. Atlanta enters the season with one of the best receiver units in the league.

 

Running backs (6)

• Devonta Freeman
• Ito Smith
• Qadree Ollison
• Brian Hill
• Kenjon Barner
• Ricky Ortiz

Analysis: The Falcons' running backs room is loaded with depth. Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison both proved their cases for a spot on the roster during the preseason and ultimately coach Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff opted to keep both. A healthy Devonta Freeman will carry the load with Ito Smith backing him up in his second season.

 

Tight ends (3)

• Austin Hooper
• Luke Stocker
• Jaeden Graham

Analysis: After spending the 2018 season on the practice squad, Jaeden Graham earned a spot on the 53-man roster. Graham flashed on multiple occasions during the preseason with his ability to make plays in the passing game but also as a reliable blocker for the Falcons. Austin Hooper is coming off a Pro Bowl season and the Falcons added a veteran presence with Luke Stocker in the room.

 

Offensive line (9)

• Alex Mack
• Jake Matthews
• Chris Lindrom
• Jamon Brown
• James Carpenter
• Matt Gono
• Ty Sambrailo
• Kaleb McGary
• Wes Schweitzer

Analysis: A unit that's changed significantly from the 2018 season. Chris Lindstrom, James Carpenter, Jamon Brown and Kaleb McGary are all in their first seasons. Matt Gono has continued to develop and is making a push for the starting right tackle spot with McGary and Ty Sambrailo in the mix. The starting left guard has yet to be solidified between Brown and Carpenter.

Now switching over to the other side of the ball:

 

Defensive line (9)

• Allen Bailey
• Adrian Clayborn
• John Cominsky
• Takk McKinley
• Vic Beasley Jr.
• Jack Crawford
• Deadrin Senat
• Tyeler Davison
• Grady Jarrett

Analysis: The Falcons have high hopes for Allen Bailey and Tyeler Davison in their first year working with Quinn who has taken over as defensive coordinator and working closely with the defensive line unit. The group is anchored by Grady Jarrett who looks like he's due for his best season yet. Quinn is counting on big seasons from Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley coming off the edge.

 

Linebackers (5)

• De'Vondre Campbell
• Jermaine Grace
• Deion Jones
• Foyesade Oluokun
• Duke Riley

Analysis: You could make a case for Jermaine Grace as Atlanta's preseason MVP. His performance in the five games earned him a spot on the 53-man roster and looks to be someone the Falcons will be able to count on from a depth standpoint at this position. Deion Jones returns healthy and look for De'Vondre Campbell to have a strong season, too.

 

Cornerbacks (6)

• Isaiah Oliver
• Desmond Trufant
• Blidi Wreh-Wilson
• Damontae Kazee
• Kendall Sheffield
• Jordan Miller

Analysis: Isaiah Oliver enters his second season as one of the starting cornerbacks for the Falcons. All eyes will be on him and Desmond Trufant. Damontae Kazee joins the group after switching to nickel cornerback this offseason.

 

Safeties (4)

• Ricardo Allen
• Keanu Neal
• Kemal Ishmael
• Sharrod Neasman

Analysis: Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen return to the starting lineup after suffering season-ending injuries in the 2018 season. Sharrod Neasman and Kemal Ishmael are two players who have been around the Falcons' locker room and are trusted backups.

And to complete the roster, a look at the special teams unit.

 

Special teams (3)

• Matt Bryant (agreed to terms on Saturday)
• Matt Bosher
• Josh Harris

Analysis: The Falcons agreed to terms with Matt Bryant on Saturday (and has not officially signed) after a preseason where the kicker position turned into a question mark. He'll assume the kicking duties when the Falcons begin preparation for the Vikings on Monday.

[blkbigdog35 8,187]

Six RBs is a surprise but I’m glad!

[falcons007 17,397]

Pretty much as expected except Ortiz. I guess Zaccheus edged out Blake on ST.

[Jesus 18,506]

Looks great. 

Let's go get it done.

[jdawg4876 6,896]

Yeah the only one thing I would have changed is getting rid of Ortiz and either keeping Paulsen or keeping the other defensive end I'm sorry his name is escapes me

[ATLFalcon36 2,097]

Larkin?

[FalconBlood23 1,769]

I agree with every selection except for leaving out Larkin, I really liked him. Hopefully, we can maybe get him on PS if he is eligible. 

[blkbigdog35 8,187]

Just now, ATLFalcon36 said:

Larkin?

Larkin was a surprise but I’m sure he’s going to PS.

[jdawg4876 6,896]

They have one spot open so either they're trying to bring in a cut from another team or maybe they're still going to sign larkin if they don't

[shock 1,989]

Larkin or Bethune over Hill.... other than that looks good 

[Ezekiel 25:17 12,029]

4 minutes ago, falcons007 said:

Pretty much as expected except Ortiz. I guess Zaccheus edged out Blake on ST.

That is exactly the list of guys I was expecting to make the team. There wasn't one surprise out of the bunch either way. 

I am happy with this roster, with Bryant "rounding" it out(Pun intended!! )

[atljbo 18,914]

You can stash Larkin and green on the PS

 

I could still see us making a move or so.... We only rocking with 3 legit outside rushers (takk, Beasley, and clayborn)

 

I hope we give a Noah Spence a look

 

I can also see us looking at a vet CB ... Maybe a Shead who can play S/CB

[TrueFalcon316 396]

3 minutes ago, jdawg4876 said:

They have one spot open so either they're trying to bring in a cut from another team or maybe they're still going to sign larkin if they don't

That spot is is Matt Bryant he hasn't officially signed yet

Edited August 31 by TrueFalcon316

[jdawg4876 6,896]

Just now, TrueFalcon316 said:

That spot is is Matt Bryant he has officially signed yet

No even counting Matt Bryant there only at 52 as the article stated

[FalconFromSpain 186]

2 minutes ago, jdawg4876 said:

They have one spot open so either they're trying to bring in a cut from another team or maybe they're still going to sign larkin if they don't

Or they are saving it for hageman

[jdawg4876 6,896]

Just now, FalconFromSpain said:

Or they are saving it for hageman

That is possible but doubtful because he didn't really do anything this preseason or training camp I think it's for a roster cut somewhere else and I'm hoping it's a safety cornerback hybrid of some kind cuz I do not like our safety depth. I like ish I'm glad he stuck around for a long time as a seventh-rounder but he does not need to play safety

[raysnill1 11,713]

1 minute ago, FalconFromSpain said:

Or they are saving it for hageman

yep looks they holding a spot for Hageman

[Monolith2001 3,952]

I like this 53 as it is almost what I expected.  I did not think we needed a dedicated FB but I ain't mad as Ortiz does his job (not great but solid).  Props to OZ.  I am so happy for him and Grace.

[FalconFromSpain 186]

Just now, jdawg4876 said:

That is possible but doubtful because he didn't really do anything this preseason or training camp I think it's for a roster cut somewhere else and I'm hoping it's a safety cornerback hybrid of some kind cuz I do not like our safety depth. I like ish I'm glad he stuck around for a long time as a seventh-rounder but he does not need to play safety

Yeah, i said on the other post. I would have kept Cooper over ish, but i think he is in for st play

[FalconBlood 2,327]

3 minutes ago, jdawg4876 said:

No even counting Matt Bryant there only at 52 as the article stated

There is 53 in the article above. 

[Dem Birds 9,374]

4 minutes ago, FalconFromSpain said:

Or they are saving it for hageman

Yep. Ortiz will be gone after Hageman isn't suspended, provided he's healthy. Only 9 defensive linemen pretty much tells that story to me. 

[atlbaby 2,455]

7 minutes ago, atljbo said:

You can stash Larkin and green on the PS

 

I could still see us making a move or so.... We only rocking with 3 legit outside rushers (takk, Beasley, and clayborn)

 

I hope we give a Noah Spence a look

 

I can also see us looking at a vet CB ... Maybe a Shead who can play S/CB

Shead has not been the same since his knee injury 

[Lowndesfalc 2,364]

7 minutes ago, atljbo said:

You can stash Larkin and green on the PS

 

I could still see us making a move or so.... We only rocking with 3 legit outside rushers (takk, Beasley, and clayborn)

 

I hope we give a Noah Spence a look

 

I can also see us looking at a vet CB ... Maybe a Shead who can play S/CB

Me too. We almost always add another face after week 1. 

[jdawg4876 6,896]

3 minutes ago, FalconBlood said:

There is 53 in the article above. 

U are correct, I think mentally in my head I kept cutting Ortiz cuz I just don't see the point there if it was Patrick DiMarco yes I get it but not ortiz he's not very good

[Jesus 18,506]

I wonder if Big Z is returning punts? Barner on kick offs