How the Falcons Were Built: A Unit-by-Unit Analysis with What Needs to Improve

The Atlanta Falcons have been building the team you see today since 1999. With long term members like Roddy White, Jonathan Babineaux and Todd McClure on the team for over seven years each, it's hard to imagine them as anything but Falcons. This slide show will be an analysis of the players the Falcons have at every spot on the team.

Players can be brought in through a multitude of ways for a team. And there are many theories to building a team, but the Falcons have bought into the idea of building through the draft. In addition to this, the Falcons have also bought into the idea of bringing in a big named veteran every offseason in order to build veteran talent on the team as well.

Up to Date Depth Chart

QB - Matt Ryan/Chris Redman/John Parker Wilson

RBF - Michael Turner/Jason Snelling/Jacquizz Rodgers/Dmitri Nance/Antone Smith

RBC - Jacquizz Rodgers/Jason Snelling/Antone Smith

FB - Ovie Mughelli/Jason Snelling/Mike Cox

WR1 - Roddy White/Kevin Cone

WR2 - Julio Jones/Kerry Meier

WR3 - Harry Douglas/Drew Davis

TE - Tony Gonzalez/Michael Palmer/Ryan Winterswyk/Tommy Gallarda

LT - Will Svitek/Sam Baker

LG - Justin Blalock/Andrew Jackson

C - Joe Hawley/Corey Adams/Scott Albritton

RG - Mike Johnson/Vince Manuwai

RT - Tyson Clabo/Garrett Reynolds/Kyle Jolly

LE - Ray Edwards/Kroy Biermann/Cliff Matthews

NT - Corey Peter/Vance Walker

UT - Jonathan Babineaux/Peria Jerry

RE - John Abraham/Lawrence Sidbury

WLB - Sean Weatherspoon/Matt Hansen

MLB - Akeem Dent/Lofa Tatupu/Robert James

SLB - Stephen Nicholas/Spencer Adkins

LCB - Brent Grimes/Dominique Franks/Darrin Walls

RCB - Dunta Robinson/Chris Owens/Robert McClain

NCB - Dominique Franks/Chris Owens

FS - Thomas Decoud/Suasi Tuimanuanei

SS - William Moore/Shann Schillinger

K - Matt Bryant

P - Matt Bosher

KOS - Matt Bosher

KR - Dominique Franks

PR - Dominique Franks

LS -

Starter

New Acquisition

Re-signing

Quarterback

The quarterback position is one of those that you have to have a franchise player in order to be successful. You have to invest heavy into that franchise guy, but after that you can find value in the draft and free agency for your backups.

QB Matt Ryan - First Round Pick, No. 3 Overall in the 2008 Draft

The Falcons have invested a high draft pick and a $66 million contract into the franchise player of the team. But in doing so, have had the most success in Falcons history over any stretch with four straight winning seasons, and three of the past four seasons going to the playoffs and having 10 or more wins.

QB Chris Redman - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2007

Chris Redman came in during the 2007 disaster and was one of the only good things about that year. Bringing him back as a backup has been a smart move.

QB John Parker Wilson - Undrafted Free Agent in 2009

JPW, as Falcons fans refer to him, is a former undrafted player. He's great value as far as contract is concerned but if he ever saw the field, the Falcons would be in trouble.

Drafted - 1

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 1

Undrafted Free Agent Signings -1

Players Traded For - 0

Needed: The Falcons would be smart to bring in a veteran backup Quarterback or spend a draft pick on a guy to learn from Ryan and turn him into trade bait.

Running Backs and Fullbacks

The running back and fullback positions are great for value. It's pretty easy to find a good running back and not have to over pay for anyone. A running game is definitely important for winning the super bowl but it's not the most important thing anymore with the improvement of the new aged passing schemes.

RB Michael Turner - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2008

Was one of the best signings in the past 10 years for the Falcons. Turner was a mid-round pick for the Chargers and has contributed over 5000 yards rushing and 50 touchdowns his four years in Atlanta.

RB/FB Jason Snelling - Seventh-Round Pick, No. 244 Overall in the 2007 Draft

A seventh-round pick in 2007, Snelling has been a great reserve for the Falcons. He can play both the FB and RB spots and provides a pounding runner and good receiver out of the back field.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 145 Overall in the 2011 Draft

Rodgers reminds a lot of people of Darren Sproles. His role should increase this year under Dirk Koetter as Koetter enjoys more all around backs.

RB Antone Smith - Undrafted Free Agent in 2009

A special teams ace and solid running back, Smith has been a very good fit for the Falcons at a very low cap hit.

RB Dmitri Nance - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2012

Nance is a guy who played for Dirk Koetter in college and could make a small impact this season as a special teamer.

FB Ovie Mughelli - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2007

Mughelli has been a pounding Fullback for the Falcons for five years now. He suffered a bad knee injury in the middle of 2011 though and could be a cap casualty this offseason.

FB Michael Cox - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2011

Cox is a powerful blocker and a mediocre receiver out of the backfield. There is a possibility that Cox and Mughelli could get cut and Snelling moved to the starting role.

Drafted - 2

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 3

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 1

Players Traded For - 0

Needed: The Falcons look to be pretty much set here. Unless they lower the cap hit by cutting either Mughelli or Snelling, they are likely to stand pat with this group or get a low draft pick in the 2012 draft.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Wide receivers and even tight ends are now taking much bigger roles on teams due to the renewed focus on passing attacks. The Falcons have one of the best young groups of talent at the Wide Receiver spot, but Tight End is Tony Gonzalez and then a good bit of nothing.

WR Roddy White - First-Round Pick, No. 27 overall in 2005

The 2005 first round pick has accumulated over 500 catches for over 7,000 yards and 45 touchdowns over the past seven years.

WR Julio Jones - First-Round Pick, No. 6 overall in 2011

Julio Jones cost a lot in the trade up but he wound up getting over 900 yards and eight touchdowns in just 13 games last year. Once he gets fully healthy, Jones and White is a scary combo.

WR Harry Douglas - Third-Round Pick, No. 84 overall in 2008

Douglas has been an excellent slot WR for Matt Ryan to use. It's nice to see him come back to Atlanta and re-sign for 4 years.

WR Kerry Meier - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 165 overall in 2010

After toiling away in special teams and on the bench for two years, the former fifth rounder could wind up being a good fourth wide receiver in Koetter's scheme.

WR Kevin Cone - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Cone was a practice squad member who got on the active roster late last season. Good special teamer but needs work as a wide receiver.

WR Drew Davis - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Davis is a good receiver who got skipped over in the 2011 draft. He could be another Weems type that is a better returner than receiver though.

Note: Eric Weems and Harry Douglas are left off this list unless they re-sign

TE Tony Gonzalez - Traded second-rounder from 2010 draft for him before the 2009 season

"Future Hall of Famer" Tony Gonzalez is still one of the best in the league. Has give the Falcons three good years already and has stated that 2012 is his final season.

TE Michael Palmer - Undrafted Free Agent in 2010

Palmer is an undrafted free agent from the 2010 season who has improved in the passing game every season. He is still nothing more than a second TE on a team though.

TE Tommy Gallarda - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Gallarda is a former Boise State player who is nothing more than practice squad fodder.

TE Ryan Winterswyk - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Winterswyk is a practice squad tight end, but one has to wonder why he wasn't being used at his college position of defensive end.

Drafted - 3

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 0

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 5

Players Traded For - 1

Needed: The Falcons have great starters at all three starting spots but need depth and a slot WR who can make a difference. Expect the Falcons to make runs at keeping Harry Douglas and Eric Weems back in Atlanta. Also, expect a draft pick for the tight end position who can learn from Tony Gonzalez for a year.

Offensive Linemen

The Falcons have a lot of depth on the offensive line but there are a lot of questions on the starting lineup. The offensive line is easily the second most important group outside of the starting quarterback and the Falcons need to give Ryan better protection in 2012 for them to have a chance at winning the NFC South again.

OT Tyson Clabo - Undrafted Free Agent in 2005

He's played guard; he's been a pro bowl right tackle too. Clabo is a beast and is the envy of everyone in the league from the Falcons offensive line.

OG Justin Blalock - Second Round Pick, No. 39 Overall in 2007

Blalock was a high pick but has proven to be worth it so far. He's started 78 of a possible 80 games he could have started over a 5 year stretch and is signed to be a Falcon for another five years.

OT Will Svitek - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2009

Signed three years ago and has been excellent depth when Baker has been injured. He is one of the better left tackles in the passing game. He should only get better in 2012 with the new OL coach.

OL Joe Hawley - Fourth Round Pick, No. 117 Overall in 2010

Hawley as a fourth rounder has shown great promise long term. He could play center or right guard in 2012, but has been too good to bench and has shown up as a long term solution at center when McClure retires.

OL Garrett Reynolds - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 156 Overall in 2009

Reynolds is one of the best reserve lineman in the league, but barring injury at OG or RT, he shouldn't be a starting option.

OT Sam Baker - First-Round Pick, No. 21 Overall in 2008

Enemy number one for Matt Ryan is the horrible pass protection that Baker has provided over the past four years. He needs to be cut and doesn't deserve his roster spot.

OG Mike Johnson - Third-Round Pick, No. 98 Overall in 2010

Johnson is a load of potential but still hasn't sniffed the starting lineup. This could be a guy who ends up winning the starting role at LG, and causes a move of Blalock to RG.

OG Andrew Jackson - Seventh-Round Pick, No. 210 Overall in 2011

Jackson is an excellent OG and could end up as great long term depth but at already 26, it's hard to see how much potential is left.

OG Vince Manuwai - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2012

Got cut from the Jags in 2011 and didn't even get a contract offer from anyone in 2011. Will be good depth at OG but could be cut in camp.

OT Kyle Jolly - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Undrafted player doesn't look athletic enough to play tackle in the NFL level and is only practice squad material.

Drafted - 6

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 2

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 2

Players Traded For - 0

Needed: The Falcons have great depth all over the line but a starting LT who could improve on Svitek or be a long term solution to learn from Svitek for a year or two is needed. Another need is for a starting offensive guard, but the Falcons could go many routes for this whether it's free agency or the draft.

Defensive Linemen

Defensive linemen serve a big purpose for teams in the NFL. Between stuffing the run, getting after the quarterback and protecting the linebackers from getting swallowed up by the offensive linemen, the defensive line has a lot of purpose and is arguably the most important part of the defense.

DE John Abraham - Traded first-rounder from 2006 draft for him before the 2006 season

John Abraham is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL and has been a true disruptive force for the Falcons since trading their first rounder for him in 2006.

DE Ray Edwards - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2011

Edwards has had some knee troubles in his first year for the Falcons. Edwards is great against the run and the pass rush abilities are there but need to be brought out.

DE Lawrence Sidbury - Fourth-Round Pick, No. 125 Overall in 2009

The complete opposite of Ray Edwards. Sidbury is an excellent pass rusher and needs work in the run stuffing department.

DE Kroy Biermann - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 154 Overall in 2008

Kroy Biermann is a solid all around defensive end and is one of the hardest workers on the team. He can play the right end or even an OLB spot in three lineman sets.

DE Cliff Matthews - Seventh-Round Pick, No. 230 Overall in 2011

Matthews was a member of the active roster all season last year but rarely saw action in games. However, there's something to be said that he hasn't been cut at all.

DT Jonathan Babineaux - Second Round Pick, No. 59 Overall in 2005

Jonathan Babineaux has been an excellent long term selection for the Falcons. He has started at the Under Tackle position since Rod Coleman regressed in the middle of the 2007 season.

DT Corey Peters - Third Round Pick, No. 83 Overall in 2010

Corey Peters has been great value as a starter for the Falcons in 30 of 32 games so far, only missing one game as a starter for injury and the other because of a three lineman set to start the game.

DT Peria Jerry - First-Round Pick, No. 24 Overall in 2009

Peria Jerry has been a bit of a bust as he hasn't been a starting defensive tackle for the Falcons in three years. However, he has been very solid as the rotational defensive tackle for Atlanta.

DT Vance Walker - Seventh-Round Pick, No. 210 Overall in 2009

Vance Walker has been a steal as he has contributed to the team as a 7th round pick. He has allowed the Falcons to have great DT depth for cheap.

Drafted - 7

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 1

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 0

Players Traded For - 1

Needed: The Falcons need a depth player at the defensive tackle spot to help rotate in with Babineaux and compete with Jerry. They could also use a starting defensive end who can rush the passer and it's no surprise they have been connected to Mario Williams in the rumor mill.

Linebackers

Linebackers are the biggest names and most unsung heroes of a defense at the same time. They can make the defense from good to great or from average to good if they are good enough. Atlanta has some of the best young linebackers.

LB Sean Weatherspoon - First-Round Pick, No. 19 Overall in 2010

Weatherspoon has proven to be a very good weakside linebacker. He reminds a lot of people of Derrick Brooks or even old school Falcon/Bill Cornelius Bennett

LB Stephen Nicholas - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 109 Overall in 2007

Nicholas is one of the better base formation linebackers out there. In 2012, he had 286 snaps though and should end up with more since Nolan likes to use more three LB sets in the nickel packages.

LB Akeem Dent - Third-Round Pick, No. 91 Overall in 2011

Dent is an excellent special teamer and could see more action in 2012 if Lofton is not re-signed. He's a leader and at worst will be an excellent special teamer.

LB Spencer Adkins - Sixth-Round Pick, No. 156 Overall in 2009

Spencer Adkins is a great depth and ST guy, but if he sees the field for too long the Falcons will be in big trouble.

LB Robert James - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 138 Overall in 2008

Robert James has been on the practice squad for four years. It's about time to cut him.

Drafted - 5

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 0

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 0

Players Traded For - 0

Needed: The Falcons need a middle linebacker who can start. They could also use some players who fit as backup and special teams help as well. Expect the Falcons to go after re-signing Lofton and drafting some backups.

Defensive Backs

Defensive backs are one of the most important groups because they are the last line of defense against the passing and the running game. Defensive backs are a big part of the franchise and are the biggest part of stopping opposing wide receivers.

CB Dunta Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2011

Dunta has been solid but unspectacular at corner for the Falcons. He should improve tremendously with Coach Nolan this season.

CB Brent Grimes - Undrafted Free Agent in 2007

Grimes worked his way from the practice squad and is now a top five corner in the NFL. He should be even better now that Coach Nolan has taken over the defense.

CB Dominique Franks - Fifth-Round Pick, No. 135 Overall in 2010

Another guy who should do better with more man coverages. Franks should be able to win the nickel slot and allow for better nickel packages in 2012.

CB Christopher Owens - Third-Round Pick, No. 90 Overall in 2009

Owens had a very solid rookie season but has been unspectacular since. He is a great special teamer though. Owens should improve in 2012 with the change to more man coverages.

CB Darrin Walls - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Walls is undrafted out of Notre Dame. Very solid in zone coverages and did well late in garbage time.

CB Robert McClain - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2012

McClain is nothing more than some practice squad fodder for 2012

S Thomas Decoud - Third-Round Pick, No. 98 Overall in 2008

Decoud's the leader of the defense. He came back for five more years and should be a better fit under Nolan's scheme.

S William Moore - Second-Round Pick, No. 55 Overall in 2009

Moore is one of the best young safeties in the league. He makes a great pair with Decoud and should be able to have a great impact as the roaming safety in Nolan's defense.

S Shann Schillinger - Sixth-Round Pick, No. 171 Overall in 2010

Schillinger is nothing more than a good special teamer or depth safety. He isn't starting caliber and shouldn't be relied on to start any games.

S Suaesi Tuimaunei - Undrafted Free Agent in 2011

Tuimaunei is nothing more than practice squad fodder in 2012

Drafted - 5

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 2

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 3

Players Traded For - 0

Needed: The Falcons have all the starting spots taken care of. However, they could make a couple of picks in the secondary for depth in this year's draft or possibly sign some free agent veterans.

Specialists

Kickers, Punters and Long Snappers are some of the easiest holes to fill on any team. Normally they can be filled with late round draft picks, undrafted players and cheap unrestricted free agents.

K Matt Bryant - Unrestricted Free Agent in 2009

Bryant was a cheap free agent signing during the 2009 season but has been one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL since his signing.

P/KOS Matt Bosher - Sixth-Round Pick, No. 192 Overall in 2011

Bosher had a rocky start to his first year in the NFL, but towards the end was averaging some of the longest punts in the NFL and was having at least one 50+ yard punt every game.

Drafted - 1

Unrestricted Free Agent Signings - 1

Undrafted Free Agent Signings - 0

Players Traded For - 0

Needed: The Falcons are set at kicker and punter but need to bring in a body for the long snapper spot or bring back Joe Zelenka another year.