The Atlanta Falcons open training camp on July 28 at their training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, in what could be a make-or-break season for coach Dan Quinn. The Falcons are coming off back-to-back 7-9 seasons, and owner Arthur Blank has said that making the playoffs is his expectation. But the Falcons finished strong last season -- going 6-2 over the final eight games after starting the year with a 1-7 record, which likely saved Quinn's job. Here is a 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (2): Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub
Ryan being outspoken on racial injustice this offseason could really help build more chemistry in the locker room as teammates look to him as a leader. Schaub's 460-yard performance in place of an injured Ryan last season proved he's still a serviceable backup even at age 39. Don't count out 24-year-old Kurt Benkert making a run at the backup role coming off a Grade 3 turf toe tear.
RUNNING BACK (4): Todd Gurley, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison
The health of Gurley's left knee will be the hot topic as he looks to have a resurgence after being released by the Rams. The one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year has 55 career rushing touchdowns in the red zone, so if nothing else he should be a solid red zone threat. What the Falcons have to do is manage Gurley's workload throughout the week and perhaps even in games to make sure he's effective all season. A lot of players have talked privately about how Hill deserved a shot to be the primary back before Gurley was signed.
FULLBACK (1): Keith Smith
Smith just comes to work and does his job well, and his blocking is underappreciated. Plus, Smith is a solid vet to have on special teams.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Brandon Powell, Laquon Treadwell, Christian Blake
The debate on whether Jones is the top receiver in the league needs to stop. The guy possesses the top mark in NFL history with an average of 96.2 receiving yards per game. And he constantly excels despite drawing added defensive attention. Ridley, with 17 touchdown receptions in 29 career games, could be the breakout offensive star of 2020. And don't dismiss what Gage could contribute after averaging 5.3 receptions and 8.0 targets in the final six games of last season.
TIGHT END (3): Hayden Hurst, Jaeden Graham, Khari Lee
The Falcons lost a Pro Bowl tight end in new Cleveland Brown Austin Hooper, but they immediately replaced him with Hurst, a former Baltimore Ravens first-round draft pick. Ryan already expressed how impressed he has been with how athletic and fast Hurst is after the two connected for offseason workouts. Now Hurst has to play up to his potential. Lee might end up being the blocking tight end unless the Falcons keep Carson Meier for that role.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jake Matthews, James Carpenter, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Matt Hennessy, Matt Gono, Justin McCray, Jamon Brown
This could be the veteran Mack's last year with the team as he enters the final year of his contract and contemplates whether or not to retire. Regardless of what the future holds, Mack's been a strong anchor and a necessary piece ever since coming over from Cleveland. The Falcons drafted Hennessy in the second round as Mack's likely successor at center, but Hennessy will get first opportunity to win the starting job at left guard. Right guard Lindstrom could end up being the most important player on the line after he experienced a setback with a broken foot during his rookie season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Grady Jarrett, Tyeler Davison, Dante Fowler Jr., Allen Bailey, Marlon Davidson, Takkarist McKinley, John Cominsky, Charles Harris
Jarrett's finally starting to get recognition for being a dominant force. It's up to the newcomer Fowler, coming off a 11.5 sack season, to bring consistent pressure against Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Teddy Bridgewater in the NFC South. The Falcons got rid of 2015 first-rounder Vic Beasley Jr. for inconsistency and probably will do the same if 2017 first-rounder McKinley doesn't take the next step and continues to have shoulder issues. The rookie Davidson might be the wild card with his ability to rush inside and out.
LINEBACKER (6): Deion Jones, Foye Oluokun, LaRoy Reynolds, Edmond Robinson, Mykal Walker, Deone Bucannon
No doubt Jones has all the tools to be the top middle linebacker in the league with his speed and sideline-to-sideline ability. He just has to stay healthy. Jones will miss tag-team partner De'Vondre Campbell, who is now with Arizona Cardinals. But Oluokun will be counted upon to fill Campbell's shoes and perhaps cover opposing tight ends such as Rob Gronkowski.
CORNERBACK (5): Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Oliver, A.J. Terrell, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Jordan Miller
Sheffield is being touted as perhaps the No. 1 corner after the Falcons cut ties with Desmond Trufant. The rookie first-rounder Terrell will have to get up to speed quickly without much offseason team work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Oliver continues to make strides but might be competing against Terrell to play outside opposite Sheffield in the base defense.
SAFETY (5): Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Jaylinn Hawkins, Sharrod Neasman
No doubt the big storyline here is the return of the one-time Pro Bowler Neal from yet another season-ending injury (Achilles). If Neal is healthy, it makes the defense that much better due to his enforcer mentality. Don't be surprised to see the Falcons play more of a three-safety look with Neal, Allen, and Kazee roaming as the free safety. Allen might be the most important player on defense as the vocal leader and an intelligent player able to see things before they happen.
SPECIALIST (3): Younghoe Koo (kicker), Sterling Hofrichter (punter), Josh Harris (long snapper)
Fan favorite Koo will get every opportunity to win the kicking duties, but Quinn already said he plans to bring in competition. The Falcons also have competition at punter with Ryan Allen and Hofrichter, but spending a draft pick on Hofrichter would indicate the Falcons want to give him a chance to be the guy.