The Atlanta Falcons are coming off back-to-back 7-9 seasons, and owner Arthur Blank has said that making the playoffs is his expectation. 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 Dan Quinn's job. They will need to rely on an offense led by one-time MVP Matt Ryan and perennial Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones. They will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. Here's a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub
Ryan, 35, seems to be taking all the right steps to ensure his body is right, including running 50-yard sprints with Schaub after practices. He relies on his accuracy, having completed 67 percent of his passes of 15 air yards or less through his career. Schaub, 39, threw some interceptions during training camp but remains a capable backup in an emergency situation based on his veteran knowledge.
RUNNING BACK (4): Todd Gurley, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison
The Falcons ran training camp in three-days blocks, and Gurley got one day off during each block as part of "load management'' involving his surgically repaired left knee. Although Gurley seems to favor the knee, he still possesses speed and cutback ability. Hill looks like the guy most capable of carrying the load if Gurley's body doesn't hold up, and Hill has worked on his pass catching and change of direction. Smith gives a change of pace with his elusiveness and can returns kicks, while Ollison is a short-yardage back.
FULLBACK (1): Keith Smith
Smith missed some time during camp after testing positive for COVID-19. He came back looking in great shape and ready to contribute with blocking and special teams.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Brandon Powell, Christian Blake
Jones and Ridley might be the most dynamic receiver combo in the league and should be more than capable of both topping 1,000 receiving yards in 2020. Gage has made tremendous strides and is ready to make a big impact as the slot guy. Zaccheaus and Blake add depth, while Powell should be the punt returner.
TIGHT END (3): Hayden Hurst, Jaeden Graham, Luke Stocker
Hurst, a former first-round draft pick of the Ravens, looks the part with the way he catches the ball with ease and has the speed to run down the seam. At 260-plus pounds, he can ward off defenders with his body. Former XFL player Khari Lee opened some eyes at camp with his soft hands, but returning player Graham is likely Hurst's backup. Stocker's the blocking tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jake Matthews, Matt Hennessy, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Matt Gono, James Carpenter, Justin McCray, Sean Harlow
Mack could be in his last NFL season with a expiring contract, and the Falcons are being smart by giving the center and anchor plenty rest leading into the season. Coach Dan Quinn has raved about how much better Lindstrom looks this season, and the second-year player was pretty solid as a rookie. It might take the rookie third-round draft pick Hennessy, Mack's eventual replacement, a little time to adjust to a starting role at left guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Grady Jarrett, Tyeler Davison, Dante Fowler Jr., Allen Bailey, Marlon Davidson, Takk McKinley, John Cominsky, Steven Means, Deadrin Senat
The addition of Fowler could give the Falcons' pass rush an incredible boost. Based on training camp, Fowler can be unstoppable with his speed off the edge, particularly when standing up. McKinley has something to prove after the team declined his fifth-year option. The Pro Bowler Jarrett always plays with a chip on his shoulder despite being one of the best defensive tackles in the game. The rookie second-round pick Davidson already has a setback with a knee strain but is expected to be a contributor.
LINEBACKER (5): Deion Jones, Foye Oluokun, LaRoy Reynolds, Edmond Robinson, Mykal Walker
Jones' speed makes him one of the top middle linebackers in the game. Oluokun is expected to make a significant jump in a starting role. Both Robinson, from the XFL, and Walker, a rookie fourth-round pick, are being looked at as possible replacements to De'Vondre Campbell, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell was solid in covering tight ends, and Robinson (6-3) and Walker (6-3) have the size to do the same. Reynolds is a good veteran backup and vocal leader who can thrive on special teams.
CORNERBACK (6): Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Oliver, A.J. Terrell, Darqueze Dennard, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Josh Hawkins
The Falcons have a good problem with four starting-caliber corners in Sheffield, Oliver, Terrell, and Dennard. Sheffield has dynamic speed and great overall ability, but both the rookie first-rounder Terrell and Oliver made plays throughout training camp while seeing the most reps together outside. Dennard, a veteran newcomer, is ideal for the inside in nickel because of his coverage skills, blitzing, and ability to tackle in run support. Jordan Miller will add depth to the group after serving the finale three games of a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing substances.
SAFETY (5): Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Sharrod Neasman, Jaylinn Hawkins
Again, the Falcons have a good problem with three starting-caliber safeties in Allen, Kazee and Neal. Kazee should be locked in as the free safety due to his ballhawking ability, while Allen's intelligence and leadership make him hard to keep off the field. Neal is coming back from an Achilles tear and is best as an in-the-box enforcer. It gives the Falcons the chance to play a three-safety look on occasion with both Allen and Neal down in the box.
SPECIALIST (3): Younghoe Koo, Sterling Hofrichter, Josh Harris
Koo's every kick will be scrutinized, just like during training camp. The rookie Hofrichter has to perform well with his punts and during holding duties on Koo's kicks. Harris doesn't get enough credit for being the team's player rep and an important link between the players and what the league is up to, particularly with the protocols following the pandemic.