3 Falcons players to watch closely in Atlanta’s preseason finale
By Nick Halden
The Atlanta Falcons are closing in on their final preseason game in a matchup that will determine many players’ futures with the team. We are four days away from final roster cuts with the Falcons having to trim their roster for the regular season.
Many positions appear to still have competition including the defensive line, tight end, receiver, and depth roles in the secondary. The team is likely going to head into the season with a rotation that will allow them to evaluate their full roster in a rebuilding season.
The Falcons should hold out Marcus Mariota and their established starters in this game in an attempt to go into the season fully healthy. Mariota gave the team plenty of reason to believe he is ready for the season Monday night starting 6/8 for 132-yards and a touchdown in his first two drives.
Putting him in this game would be an unneeded risk for a player who has a history of struggling with injuries.
Atlanta has plenty of tough decisions ahead of them before they switch their focus to the New Orleans Saints in week one. The competition and depth Atlanta added with so few resources speaks to the solid off-season the front office put together. With this in mind, let’s take a look at three Falcons, in particular, to pay attention to in Saturday’s preseason finale.