Predicting the Falcons’ Final Depth Chart
Jul 25, 2013; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons players during training camp at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, the Falcons released the firs t unofficial depth chart. This is the part of the preseason where the writers start to predict who will make the final roster, who will start, and who will be the backups. That’s where I come in.
QB: Matt Ryan, Dominigue Davis, Sean Renfree
WR1: Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Martel Moore
WR2: Roddy White, Drew Davis
LT: Sam Baker, Ryan Schraeder,
LG: Justin Blalock, Harland Gunn
C: Peter Konz, Joe Hawley
RG: Garret Reynolds, Phillipkeith Manley
RT: Mike Johnson, Lamar Holmes
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chase Coffman, Levine Toilolo
RB: Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jason Snelling, Ronnie Wingo
FB: Bradie Ewing
LDE: Kroy Biermann, Malliciah Goodman
DT: Jonathan Babineaux, Travian Robertson
DT: Corey Peters, Cliff Matthews
RDE: Osi Umenyiora, Jonathan Massaquoi
OLB: Sean Weatherspoon, Joplo Bartu
MLB: Akeem Dent, Pat Schiller
OLB: Stephen Nicholas, Nick Clancy
RCB: Desmond Trufan, Robert McClain
LCB: Asante Samuel, Robert Alford, Dominique Franks
SS: William Moore, Shann Schillinger
FS: Thomas DeCoud, Charles Mitchells
This is my predicted depth chart of the first and second string. You may notice there are only 43 names listed. The final 10 names will mainly be determined on how each of the players perform on special team as most of those players will be primarily special teams players and won’t see the field much.
As you can see, there are very few differences on my predictions and what is already listed, but I believe competition will have a decent impact on the final roster.
Martel Moore may be just a hot name with a few impressive catches, but he has been making enough of a scene that if he keeps it up, he will end up ahead of Kevin Cone on the Final Roster. Cone may end up on the roster regardless, but Moore is showing out a bit more as of now.
As I stated in my last piece, I am not convinced that Lamar Holmes will take over completely. He has all the skill and it is a legitimate tossup. With a tossup, I would have to give the job the senior player and that’s Mike Johnson.
Chase Coffman keeps showing off in practice. He has proven to be the most Tony Gonzalez-esc player. As well as Toilolo is acting as a red zone threat, Coffman is performing too well to be the third stringer.
Ronnie Wingo is an explosive Back. He shows he can be very versatile as a skat-back or an explosive power back. I’m not convinced he could be an NFL starter caliber back, but he might have what it takes to beat out Smith for the fourth spot. Bradie Ewing is the premier choice at Fullback and doesn’t have a lot of steep competition. The Falcons will probably only use one roster spot for fullback and Ewing will Most likely win that spot.
Behind Biermann, It is listed that Cliff Matthews has the job. He has been putting on weight and making a move to Defensive Tackle. He has been making a name for himself by pushing himself into the backfield and blocking passes to take a roster spot as a tackle. Maliciah Goodman will be more than skilled to take over the backup spot behind biermann. Stansly Maponga is talented, but he’ll be behind Osi Umenyiora and a vastly improved Jonathan Massaquoi. He’ll probably get a roster spot, but recovering from a foot injury, he’ll be hard-pressed to find a lot of playing time
Jonathan Babineaux, Travian Robertson, Corey Peters, and Cliff Matthews will most likely make up the defensive tackle rotation. Peria Jerry will win a roster spot, but unless he finally shows why he as drafted in the first round for, he won’t have a lot of playing time.
Brian Banks is well on his way to a healthy career. If he makes the 53-man roster, he’ll have to be explosive on special teams to make the spot since Pat Schiller isn’t showing any weakness. Joplu Bartu may be a dream, but he is looking like a pro while Robert James has never done anything special. That Bartu guy may make the team.
Who are your predictions for starters?