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3 Atlanta Falcons who shouldn’t have made the final roster

By Nick Halden

Dec 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Feleipe Franks (15) during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Feleipe Franks (15) during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons guard Jalen Mayfield (77) following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons guard Jalen Mayfield (77) following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jalen Mayfield

Jalen Mayfield made the initial roster only to be moved to the IR as Mayfield is still dealing with the injury that hampered him in the latter half of the preseason. Before Mayfield’s injury, he managed to lose his job to Elijah Wilkinson and put together a terrible tape that showed he hadn’t grown from the dumpster fire that was last season.

Mayfield isn’t a starting guard in this league and doesn’t deserve a spot on this roster even if it was simply a move to get him to the IR. Jalen has shown he cannot play at this level and did nothing in camp or in the preseason to change that. While it might seem harsh, Mayfield has to be able to at least give his quarterback a chance. If he can’t it will result in blown plays and heightened injury risk for your quarterback.

Atlanta needed to show they meant what they said this off-season about every player earning their spot. Jalen hasn’t done anything to earn a spot or given any reason to believe he will suddenly become a capable guard.

His time with Atlanta should already have come to an end, his roster spot would have been better off being handed to rookie guard Shaffer. While Shaffer looked bad as well the rookie still could develop and has more promise than Mayfield.

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