Atlanta Falcons: Final 53-man Roster Prediction

The Atlanta Falcons will trim their roster to 53 players by 4 PM ET on Saturday. Below are the guys expected to make the final cut.

The Atlanta Falcons concluded their 2017 preseason on Thursday with an 0-4 record following a 13-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Naturally, the Falcons will follow up their poor preseason record by winning their next 19 en route to the Super Bowl 52 title.

Here is who you should expect to open that journey on the Falcons’ 53-man roster:

QB (2) Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub

I can all but guarantee the Falcons’ quarterbacks will both be named Matt and odds are these two will be the winners.

RB (4) Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Terron Ward, Brian Hill

Due to Terron Ward’s experience and preseason body of work, he stands victorious in the RB3 battle. The Falcons decide to carry four running backs to preclude another team from prying Hill away from Atlanta.

FB (1) Derrick Coleman

There was never any doubt.

TE (4) Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo, Joshua Perkins, Eric Saubert

Much like Hill, Saubert finds himself on this list by virtue of draft status and the fear of being poached by another team.

WR (6) Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Justin Hardy, Andre Roberts, Marvin Hall

Marvin Hall’s connection to Steve Sarkisian and skill as a special teams gunner gives him the nod over Reggie Davis and Nick Williams.

OT (3) Jake Matthews, Ryan Schraeder, Austin Pastor

The hope is that Pasztor is healthy for the season opener, but don’t be surprised if the Falcons add another body here. Saubert would get the boot in the event that happens.

OG (3) Andy Levitre, Wes Schweitzer, Sean Harlow

I’m assuming Schweitzer narrowly edges Garland for the starting right guard job, but Thursday’s preseason finale did not give a clear indication either way.

C (2) Alex Mack, Ben Garland

Nothing to see here.

EDGE (3) Vic Beasley, Brooks Reed, Takk McKinley

I prefer to break up the Falcons defensive linemen into three categories: edge, defensive tackle, and hybrids. These three have never been in doubt, despite what some fans like to say about Brooks Reed.

DT (4) Grady Jarrett, Dontari Poe, Ra’Shede Hageman, Jack Crawford

If Hageman plays the way he’s capable of, this quartet could make for a potent defensive tackle rotation.

Hybrids (3) Courtney Upshaw, Adrian Clayborn, Derrick Shelby

Upshaw appears to be locked in as the starter at strong side defensive end. Shelby may be on the outside looking in on game days.

LB (5) Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, Duke Riley, Kemal Ishmael, Jermaine Grace

Vic Beasley’s versatility to man the strong side linebacker position should allow the Falcons to skate by with only five linebackers. Jermaine Grace demonstrated throughout the preseason that he fits the mold of a Dan Quinn “fast and physical” linebacker; therefore, he earns the distinction of being the lone UDFA on the Falcons 53-man roster.

NOTE: This list was compiled with the assumption that LaRoy Reynolds will wind up on season-ending IR with a pectoral injury.

CB (6) Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Brian Poole, CJ Goodwin, Deji Olatoye, Blidi Wreh-Wilson

Blidi Wreh-Wilson’s interception versus the Jaguars ultimately wins him this job. After all, Dan Quinn does value the ball quite a bit. There’s also the fact that Wreh-Wilson had been running with the Falcons’ second unit at nickel corner all summer long.

S (4) Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Sharrod Neasman

I was wrong with my earlier prediction as to who would back up Neal at strong safety, but I won’t make that mistake again. Sharrod Neasman is here to stay as evidenced by his ability to play both safety spots.

Specialists (3) Matt Bryant, Matt Bryant, Josh Harris

Probably the easiest position group to predict on the entire roster.

Next: 5 NFC South Stars to Account For

There you have it, folks. Those are the 53 men that will go to battle for the Brotherhood to open the 2017 season. Sound off in the comments section below as to who you think makes the final cut on Saturday.

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