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Atlanta Falcons: How many wide receivers will make 53-man roster?

By Freddie Boston

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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How many wide receivers should the Atlanta Falcons keep on the 53-man roster?

Many tough decisions await for Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn over the next few months as he assembles the roster ahead of the new season.

Looking at the Falcons’ wide receiver group, only a few names feel like locks for the 53-man roster. Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Justin Hardy aren’t going anywhere, but the spots directly below them remains uncertain.

Eric Weems won’t offer much on offense, but his special teams contributions will almost certainly earn him a spot on the 53. That’s four slots taken by wide receivers.

The locks

So let’s start with the guarantees. As we’ve discussed, Jones, Sanu and Hardy will be the top three receivers on the depth chart.

Jones is one of the best receivers in football and will receive plenty of attention from defensive coordinators after a career-best season with 1,871 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Sanu has a lot to prove, but the free agency acquisition was brought in to take over the No. 2 spot from a departing Roddy White. Sanu doesn’t need to be a star, instead do just enough to ease the pressure from Jones.

Hardy will be expected to make a jump in his second season in the NFL. He’ll likely spend most of his time lined up in the slot.

The Devin Hester conundrum

Will Devin Hester return? A nagging toe injury has kept him sidelined for some time now, and the fact the Falcons turned to return specialist Devin Fuller in the draft led to speculation there was to be a change of the guard.

If Hester doesn’t make the roster, it will almost certainly be because his injury has limited his performance. When 100 percent, he would easily be the Falcons’ best returner.

Six receivers?

Will the Falcons keep six receivers on the roster? Last year they kept seven, Hester included.

If we assume Jones, Sanu, Hardy and Weems make the cut as well as at least one of Hester and Fuller make it, that’s five slots taken. That leaves an opportunity for a player like Nick Williams to grab a spot as he did a year ago.

Next: Who takes the biggest step in year two for the Falcons?

How many receivers do you expect the Falcons to go with?

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