6 surprising players the Atlanta Falcons could end up cutting

The Atlanta Falcons could end up cutting tight end Anthony Firkser

The question is, what does Anthony Firkser bring to the Atlanta Falcons that they do not already have?

The only real answer is a well-rounded backup tight end, but is that enough to save a roster spot for him?

Think about last year’s tight end room to start the year, obviously, there was Kyle Pitts who is a superstar, but you also had Hayden Hurst who was a good receiving threat, Lee Smith who was an excellent blocker, and eventually Parker Hesse who is still on the team. There was no player like Anthony Firkser.

It is understandable why Anthony Firkser was brought in, he has experience with Arthur Smith and he is a solid player, but he does not give the team anything that warrants a roster spot if we are being honest.

Kyle Pitts will get the bulk of the targets, that is obvious. Either Parker Hesse, John Fitzpatrick, or a combination of the two can handle the blocking assignments, and with Hesse, he also is decent as a pass catcher. And then you possibly have Feleipe Franks if he can develop into a reliable option.

The coaches also have shown they like Parker Hesse a lot, they played him a bunch during the first preseason game. Is Firkser the better receiving threat? Probably, but the Falcons have kept him around for a reason.

Anthony Firkser is an average blocker at best, and an alright receiving threat. He has only had more than 300 yards receiving once in his four-year career and never caught more than two touchdowns in the season.

Yes, those stats are better than Parker Hesse’s but if the coaches like Hesse’s potential more, either as a blocker or a pass catcher, then Anthony Firkser may end up being cut. It just would not make sense to keep him around when you already have all of the main roles filled.

If he makes the team it will be because of his experience and that he brings more as a receiver than anyone else not named Kyle Pitts.