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Top Five Falcons Rookies So Far This Preseason

By Justin Stallman

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 17: David Amerson #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes an interception in the end zone but landed out of bounds against Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 17: David Amerson #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes an interception in the end zone but landed out of bounds against Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Falcons haven’t yet won a preseason game so far this year, but that hasn’t stopped these players from achieving their dreams of making the 53 man roster and having a career playing professional football.

This preseason has had many ups and many downs, most of the ups have been how the rookies have showed they belong with the Falcons.  Looking back at the first couple of games, a few players that have already proved they can compete in this league; Calvin Ridley,  Isaiah Oliver, Emmanuel Ellerbee, Jonathan Celestin, and Kurt Benkert.

First off, Calvin Ridley has a had remarkable preseason for the falcons, despite starting 0-2, although he had a rocky first game,  Ridley was able to score his first NFL touchdown last week against the Chiefs, also racking in 49 receiving yards which led the team.

The next player that has showed lots of potiental is Isaiah Oliver.  Oliver is quick, only has a few tackles so far this preseason, but he has high hopes to prove he can compete with guys like Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant.

This guy was brought in undrafted,  he can make big plays despite his small stature, just 6’1 235lbs and just 21 years old.  Emmanuel Ellerbee is out to prove he’s underrated.  He only accrued a couple tackles so far this preseason, but he will show he belongs.

This next guy is not a a name many would be familiar with just yet, but he’s definitely making a name for himself the last couple games. Jonathan Celestin contributed well game one verses the Jets by getting three tackles, all solo, including a sack and all tackles for loss.  Last week against the Chiefs, Celestin racked up six tackles and leading the entire defense.

The last guy that I believe deserves a roster spot would be potential second or third string QB, Kurt Benkert.  Game one against the Jets, Benkert lead the team in passing, throwing 9/17 for 125 yards.  Game two verse the Chiefs he was only 3/8 for 30 yards.  The only downfall is that Benkert has thrown at least one interception in back to back games.  This week lets hope he can bounce back and throw his first NFL touchdown.

This a brief run-down of the top five rookies that I believe the Falcons can see having a successful NFL career in Atlanta.  The next couple of weeks these guys will be out to fight for a roster spot on the 53 man roster.  Let’s see what they got.

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