The Atlanta Falcons opened training camp on July 22 at the team's facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Here's our projection for the 53-man roster:
QUARTERBACK (2): Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub.
Ryan, 34, hasn't missed a game since the 2009 season and has thrown for 4,000 or more yards in each of the last eight seasons. Schaub, 38, provides experienced insurance with 92 career starts.
RUNNING BACK (3): Devonta Freeman, Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison.
Freeman's return from season-ending, core-muscle surgery is a significant deal for the Falcons. They sorely missed his elusiveness and ability to run routes like a receiver. Smith showed spurts of explosiveness as a rookie last season and should be a nice complement to Freeman, with Tevin Coleman (49ers) gone. The rookie Ollison, with a bigger build, could be called upon in short-yardage situations.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Calvin Ridley, Justin Hardy, Russell Gage, Marcus Green.
Jones, 30, remains arguably the most dangerous threat in the game. He's put up five straight seasons of at least 1,400 yards ad 80 catches and is 133 yards away from surpassing Roddy White as the franchise's all-time leading receiver. Ridley, a tireless worker, should ascend in Year 2. Green, the rookie, has a chance to win the return duties.
TIGHT END (4): Austin Hooper, Luke Stocker, Eric Saubert, Logan Paulsen.
Hooper has all the tools to develop into a top-flight, pass-catching tight end in the league. It's just a matter of how Dirk Koetter, back for a second stint as offensive coordinator, plans to utilize him. The Falcons intend to play Stocker at both tight end and fullback as he excels with blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jake Matthews, James Carpenter, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom, Ty Sambrailo, Kaleb McGary, Jamon Brown, Wes Schweitzer, Matt Gono.
The Falcons are counting on the rookie first-round draft picks, Lindstrom and McGary, to develop into a formidable pair at right guard and right tackle, respectively. The belief is Lindstrom will be a perennial Pro Bowler, while the jury is still out on McGary as he aims to surpass the veteran Sambrailo, first. Mack remains the anchor at center, while the addition of Carpenter might be the underrated move of the offseason.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Vic Beasley, Takk McKinley, Adrian Clayborn, Grady Jarrett, Jack Crawford, Deadrin Senat, Tyeler Davison, John Cominsky, Ra'Shede Hageman, Allen Bailey.
Jarrett, fresh off signing a four-year, $68 million contract, is a dominant force who pressures the quarterbacks and stuffs the run. Now he needs help off the edges from Beasley and McKinley, and Beasley is entering a pivotal year regarding his Falcons' future. Crawford probably doesn't give enough credit for his relentless effort, while signing the former Saint Davison enhanced the line and crippled a division foe.
LINEBACKER (6): Deion Jones, De'Vondre Campbell, Foye Oluokun, Bruce Carter, Kemal Ishmael, Duke Riley.
Jones is arguable the top coverage linebacker in the league with his blazing speed. He wasn't fully healthy last season and still looked dominant. Campbell doesn't get enough credit for being a force. Oluokun should continue to soar off an impressive rookie season. The often-criticized Riley has to make his mark on special teams, and he's more than capable of doing so.
SECONDARY (10): Desmond Trufant, Isaiah Oliver, Damontae Kazee, Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal, Chris Cooper, Kendall Sheffield, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Jordan Miller, Sharrod Neasman.
The return of Allen (Achilles) and Neal (ACL) from season-ending injuries will be a major storyline, and it wouldn't be a surprise if their play is limited during the preseason. Kazee's adjustment from free safety to nickel will be worth monitoring coming off a seven-interception season. The rookie Miller, a rangy corner, could be the hidden gem in the group based on how he immediately impressed his veteran teammates in OTAs and minicamp.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Giorgio Tavecchio, P Matt Bosher, LS Josh Harris
Tavecchio has big shoes to fill in replacing Matt Bryant's consistency.