ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 10 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Coach Arthur Smith said multiple times this offseason he wanted to create an environment in which the 53-man roster would be difficult to make. Based on camp, he accomplished that goal.
"The league is so much more transactional. Practice squads are bigger, so there's more job opportunities. Then, you have the standard elevations," Smith said. "So it's just so different. Certainly, there's the initial shock for some guys. Nobody ever wants to be rejected, whether you even bring them back on the practice squad.
"There is the 53[-man] cut, but there's so much more opportunity and things can change from that initial 53 to the next day to even the weekend going into the game and the way you use elevations."
Atlanta should have more depth throughout its roster than at any point since Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot were hired in January 2021, due in part to finally having cap space and partly because of good drafting. All of which has led to difficult cuts throughout the initial 53 (which almost assuredly will change).
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Falcons:
QUARTERBACK (2): Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke
This is a tricky decision because of Logan Woodside's play, as well as the new three quarterback rule that's in place. Woodside was the last cut and if the Falcons were a little healthier in other places, he'd make the final roster. Don't be surprised if he ends up back on the 53-man sooner than later if he's not on the initial one.
RUNNING BACK (4): Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson, Godwin Igwebuike
With Patterson's soft-tissue injury unclear, Atlanta needs more than two running backs, and Robinson is a do-everything player. Igwebuike can not only handle a third running back role, but also be the Falcons' kick returner until Patterson returns. If Patterson is healthy, then Igwebuike lands squarely on the bubble.
FULLBACK (1): Keith Smith
Atlanta has a lot of flexibility in its offense, and Smith can be part of that, including being an off-set tight end if necessary. The veteran is also a special teams stalwart.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Drake London, Mack Hollins, KhaDarel Hodge, Scott Miller, Josh Ali
Four receivers would have made sense had Hodge been healthy, but he's dealing with an ankle injury, skewing the numbers somewhat. No one outside of London, Hollins and Hodge stood out consistently during camp. Miller makes the team based on his speed, while Ali has a rapport with Ridder and some special teams ability. But if Atlanta keeps Xavier Malone or J.J. Arcega-Whiteside instead, it wouldn't be stunning.
TIGHT END (4): Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith, MyCole Pruitt, Parker Hesse
This is a deep room. Pitts, Smith and Pruitt all fit the versatile plan Arthur Smith has. Hesse is the team's best blocking tight end and could also be a short-yardage tight end or fullback/extra offensive lineman if necessary. John FitzPatrick has made a strong case for inclusion and was a difficult cut. Based off IR rules, it's also possible Atlanta keeps FitzPatrick and cuts Pruitt with the intention of bringing Pruitt back once it moves players to IR. It is possible Atlanta feels comfortable enough with the blocking from Pruitt and Smith that it could move on from Hesse, too, but I'm not quite ready to go there.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Ryan Neuzil, Kyle Hinton, Joshua Miles
The starting five with Neuzil as the top interior backup seems pretty set -- the amount Arthur Smith praises Neuzil is notable. Hinton, Jonotthan Harrison and rookie Jovaughn Gwyn might be competing for one spot. How Atlanta handled Hinton this week in practices and games seems to indicate he has a good chance of making the roster. Smith was open about needing a swing tackle, and the competition was open between Tyler Vrabel, Joshua Miles and 2021 third-round pick Jalen Mayfield. Any of the three (or even two of the three) could end up on the roster, but Miles has the edge. Miles played left tackle instead of right against Pittsburgh's starters Thursday night, he held his own while Vrabel struggled, and Mayfield didn't play until the second half and was not dominant then. Swing tackle is a spot where Atlanta could look post-cuts for an upgrade.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Calais Campbell, Zach Harrison, Timmy Horne, Albert Huggins, Ta'Quon Graham
Campbell said the Falcons' defensive line would almost operate like hockey lines, which probably means at least six players, if not seven. The odd player out in this projection is Joe Gaziano, who could replace Huggins or Graham on this list. Atlanta could go as low as six or as high as eight here because of some flexibility with Lorenzo Carter having his hand on the ground situationally.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Bud Dupree, Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, DeAngelo Malone
This group seems as set as any, other than specialists. Malone has so far developed into a key special teams player, and Dupree, Carter and Ebiketie have clear roles on the defense. Ade Ogundeji is already on injured reserve and is out for the year.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, Tae Davis
The top three seem pretty locked in. The fourth spot seems like it would go to Davis, who had a lot of work in camp with the first-team special teams units. Watch out for Mike Jones Jr., though. At least one undrafted free agent seems destined to make the team, and Jones could be it. He has stood out at points during camp.
CORNERBACK (7): A.J. Terrell, Jeff Okudah, Dee Alford, Tre Flowers, Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Natrone Brooks, Breon Borders*
This position group is a mess with injuries. It's unclear how fast Okudah will return from his ankle injury and Hughes hasn't practiced in weeks, so this group could be even heavier. The asterisk on Borders is simple. The Falcons can choose to place him on the suspended list, meaning they don't have to make a decision on Borders until after Week 2. He has played well enough in camp to earn real consideration. Hall did enough to earn a depth spot. Another player to watch here is Natrone Brooks. Brooks played ahead of Darren Hall in the preseason finale and held up OK -- potentially pushing him ahead of Hall. He has made plays throughout camp, and if the Falcons move on from Hughes, he could end up with a roster spot. It is possible Atlanta also keeps the injured Cornell Armstrong over Brooks or Hall. Mike Hughes, who has been hurt for most of camp, could also be on the bubble.
SAFETY (4): Jessie Bates III, Richie Grant, Jaylinn Hawkins, DeMarcco Hellams
Hellams played his way onto the roster with two interceptions in preseason games and a general ballhawking ability. Could Atlanta keep five safeties? Yes, it's possible, and Micah Abernathy would be the fifth. He might be the fourth, too, behind expected starters Bates and Grant, and Hawkins, who could be one of the better third safeties in the league. It's possible Abernathy, if cut, ends up back in Atlanta sooner than later.
SPECIALISTS (3): Younghoe Koo (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Liam McCullough (LS)
This is academic without competition, although to save a roster spot at initial cutdowns, Atlanta could cut McCullough with the clear intention of re-signing him after players go on injured reserve.