A position-by-position look at how the Falcons' lineup may have changed after free agency and the draft.
Will McFadden
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The bulk of the 2025 NFL offseason has come and gone. Hard to believe it, right?
By now, most major free agents not named Aaron Rodgers have found a new NFL home, the top prospects have a fresh set of fans fawning over them and on-field workouts have begun. Football may not be right around the corner, exactly, but it's not all that far off, either.
This makes it the perfect time to take stock of what the Atlanta Falcons have done during an offseason they entered in somewhat of a tricky spot. With limited cap space and only five draft picks, the Falcons focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball.
Let's go through each position and create a projection for what Atlanta's depth chart might look following the draft and free agency.
Offense
Quarterback
Starter:Michael Penix Jr.
Key reserves:Kirk Cousins
On the roster:Easton Stick | Emory Jones
At this point in time,all signs are pointingto the Falcons entering training camp and the 2025 season with Penix as the starter and Cousins backing him up. Atlanta's leadership has maintained they are comfortable with that dynamic, so now the attention turns to Penix and how he's able to both assimilate into and elevate a young offense with a lot of potential.His three-game sampleas a starter left a lot of people optimistic about his future in the league, but that is the past and this is a new year. He's been working to develop chemistry with his weapons, and that will be a key focus throughout training camp for those covering the team.
Running back
Starter:Bijan Robinson
Key reserves:Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan
On the roster:Nathan Carter | Elijah Dotson | Carlos Washington Jr.
Robinson was among the best offensive players in the league last season, finishing fourth in total yards from scrimmage with 1,887. He also recorded a career-best 15 touchdowns and forced 99 missed tackles, one shy of the league lead. He'll enter his third season as one of the most dangerous ballcarriers in the NFL. Allgeier, meanwhile, is one of the most capable backups. His 2,362 rushing yards since entering the league in 2022 rank 21st among running backs, and he is already 11th in career rushing yards for the Falcons. The depth behind those two is unproven with Washington and McClellan returning from last year.
Offensive line
Starters:Jake Matthews | Matthew Bergeron | Jovaughn Gwyn | Chris Lindstrom | Kaleb McGary
Key reserves:Kyle Hinton | Storm Norton | Brandon Parker | Elijah Wilkinson
On the roster:Matthew Cindric | Joey Fisher | Joshua Gray | Jack Nelson | Tyrone Wheatley Jr. | Jordan Williams | Kilian Zierer
I can only start a player who is on the roster, so Ryan Neuzil's absence here certainly stands out. Although the expectation is that he will slot into the team's starting center role, hehas yet to sign his qualifying offer sheetfrom the Falcons and remains a restricted free agent. The rest of the offensive line returns after spending two seasons together. There is continuity and talent up front for Atlanta, and the depth behind the starting group has stayed consistent as well. This is an area of strength on Atlanta's roster, and the team has time to continue to develop.
Tight end
Starter:Kyle Pitts
Key reserves:Charlie Woerner
On the roster:Feleipe Franks | Nikola Kalinic | Teagan Quitoriano | Joshua Simon
Pitts enters the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, and it's unclear what his future looks like beyond that. This season, the emphasis for Pitts is going to beon the details of his gameand there is optimism that he can blossom in Year 2 of Zac Robinson's offense. Behind him, Woerner establish his importance to Atlanta's offense last season, particularly in the run game. He's a tremendous asset in an outside zone scheme and someone the Falcons trust. There are a few interesting players filling out the position room to keep an eye on in training camp, including Quitoriano and Simon.
Wide receiver
Starters:Drake London | Darnell Mooney | Ray-Ray McCloud
Key reserves:KhaDarel Hodge | Casey Washington | Jamal Agnew
On the roster:Chris Blair | Phillip Dorsett II | Dylan Drummond | Jesse Matthews | Nick Nash | Makai Polk | David Sills V | Quincy Skinner Jr.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Falcons didn't make any major additions to their receiver room. Not that they necessarily needed to withLondon and Mooney coming backafter an impressive first year working together. McCloud and Hodge are back, too, and will be crucial depth pieces, and Washington could take a step forward in his second year. Agnew earns the "key reserve" label because I expect him to be a major factor in the return game and perhaps carve out a role on offense. As always, the competition for the final couple of roster spots at receiver figures to be competitive. Blair, Dorsett and Nash are a few names to keep an eye on there.
Defense
Defensive line
Starters:David Onyemata | Ruke Orhorhoro
Key reserves:Brandon Dorlus | Zach Harrison | Kentavius Street | Morgan Fox | Ta'Quon Graham
On the roster:Junior Aho | Simeon Barrow Jr. | LaCale London
With Grady Jarrett now in Chicago, the Falcons' defensive interior is going to look different for the first time in a decade. Last year's Day 2 draft picks, Orhorhoro and Dorlus, are expected to step into much bigger roles. Orhorhoro seems better suited to slot into Jarrett's old spot next to Onyemata, while Dorlus offers more flexibility to move outside and inside. Harrison's role also figures to be a versatile one for Nate Ollie's unit. Fox is a newcomer to keep an eye on; he offers a lot of pop behind his pads and has 15 sacks over the last three seasons.
Edge defender
Starters:Leonard Floyd | Jalon Walker
Key reserves:Arnold Ebiketie | James Pearce Jr. | Bralen Trice
On the roster:Khalid Kareem | DeAngelo Malone
This is one of the most difficult positions to pin down, because it's the group that underwent the most drastic change. For now, it seems safest to say the Floyd's experience working with head coach Raheem Morris in Los Angeles gives him an edge at a starting role. Walker's status as the 15th overall pick in the draft and his impact upside separate him from the rest. Don't be surprised, though, if there are a lot of reps to go around. Trice is a player who could sneak up on people as a run defender after missing his rookie season, and Ebiketie and Pearce are really nice pass-rush specialists if that's how they end up getting used in 2025.
Linebacker
Starters:Kaden Elliss | Divine Deablo
Key reserves:Troy Andersen | JD Bertrand
On the roster:Nick Kubitz | Malik Verdon | Josh Woods
If Bijan Robinson was Mr. Do-It-All for the Falcons' offense, the same can be said of Elliss for the defense. He had 151 tackles and five sacks last season and was the only player in the league with at least 130 tackles and four sacks. His versatility will continue to be a staple for Atlanta. The key question comes down to who his running mate will be on the inside. Andersen's talent is still enticing, and Ulbrich has a strong track record of getting the most out of athletically gifted linebackers. But his injury history is too difficult to trust, and it's easy to envision the Falcons starting him in a reserve role to limit his exposure. That why Deablo, who signed this offseason, could be a crucial newcomer in 2025. If he can provide consistent play, particularly as a run defender and in zone coverage, it could go a long way towards overall improvement.
Cornerback
Starters:A.J. Terrell | Mike Hughes | Billy Bowman Jr.
Key reserves:Dee Alford | Mike Ford Jr. | Kevin King | Clark Phillips III
On the roster:Natrone Brooks | Cobee Bryant | Lamar Jackson | Dontae Manning | Keith Taylor
Terrell and Hughes were a solid enough combo at cornerback that the Falcons should feel comfortable rolling with them again in 2025. The big projected change here comes at the nickel spot, where Bowman is expected to get the chance to compete for that starting job in training camp. If he can clean up his tackling, I like the energy Bowman would bring to that spot. Alford and Phillips figure to be the top two reserves with Ford and King vying for additional roles as well. King, in particular, felt like something of a project player for the coaching staff last season, so his usage in training camp is worth monitoring. Bryant is a wild card to watch after signing as an undrafted free agent.
Safety
Starters:Jessie Bates III | Xavier Watts
Key reserves:Jordan Fuller | DeMarcco Hellams
On the roster:Benny Sapp III
The Falcons should feel very good about their safety group at this point. Bates has been a revelation since arriving in Atlanta and brings an All-Pro ceiling to the position; he was the only player in the NFL with four forced fumbles and four interceptions last season. Watts is a player Atlantawas very excited to addin the third round of the draft, and he brings natural playmaking skills to pair with Bates. His 13 interceptions since 2022 were most among FBS safeties. Atlanta added Fuller this offseason, and he has experience working with Morris from his time as a starter with the Rams. Don't count Fuller out as a possible starter at safety, either, if Watts takes a little bit of time to acclimate to the NFL. Hellams missed all of the 2024 season due to an injury, but the coaching staff is excited about the physical presence he can bring.
Specialist
Starters:Jamal Agnew | Younghoe Koo | Bradley Pinion | Liam McCullough
On the roster:Lenny Krieg
There are a few different players who could compete for the main return role, but Agnew, who the team signed in free agency, figures to have a clear inside track. He was an All-Pro returner for Detroit in 2017 and most recently made the Pro Bowl in 2022 with Jacksonville. Agnew has six career touchdowns off of returns, so it's safe to assume he's here for a reason. The other key battle to keep an eye on is at kicker. Koo is coming off of his worst season with Atlanta, and the team signed Krieg in the offseasonafter he drew rave reviewsfor his workout at the NFL Combine.
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