4 Falcons players whose stock is pointed up after preseason loss to Jets

3. Anthony Firkser

The Atlanta Falcons battle at tight-end was one of the more interesting battles when you consider the position is really up for grabs after Kyle Pitts. Whether it was draft pick John FitzPatrick or a surprising depth piece the Falcons were searching for someone to step up and lock down the second tight-end role.

Firkser likely had the inside track as a player who has played with Arthur Smith in the past and had success in that role. Mariota is familiar with Firkser as well and would give the Falcons an underrated weapon in the passing game.

Firkser demonstrated this on Monday night catching two balls for 56-yards and was Atlanta’s second-leading receiver behind Jared Bernhardt. This should be enough to lock up the second and more traditional tight-end role heading into the season. The question now becomes which depth pieces will make it behind Pitts and Firkser? There hasn’t been a clear winner aside from Firkser as to who might lock up the remaining spots.

Firkser is going to be the Falcons’ fifth or sixth passing option allowing him to do exactly what he did on Monday night slip past the defense as the forgotten man for a big play. Firkser is going to make an impact for a team that needed a traditional tight end to step up.