2012 Atlanta Falcons: Predicting the Final 2012 53-Man Roster

Scott CarasikJun 5, 2018

The Atlanta Falcons will be using training camp this year to truly narrow down the 90 players currently on the roster to a 53-man roster. Barring injuries, there are 20-25 locks to make the team and the other 28 spots are up for grabs.

The 53-man roster breakdown would be two quarterbacks, three running backs, one fullback, six wide receivers, three tight ends, nine offensive linemen, 10 defensive linemen, six linebackers, 10 defensive backs and three specialists.

Quarterbacks

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The lock here is easily Pro Bowl quarterback and franchise player Matt Ryan.

The last spot is going to be competitive, but only one will make the 53-man roster with the final on the practice squad. Chris Redman is the most likely to win the backup job he has held for the past five years.

Running Backs

In a scheme with less use for the running game and multiple versatile players who can play running back or wide receiver, it would make the most sense to keep certain players for their specialist roles.

Michael Turner is a lock as the power back and main workhorse, while Jason Snelling can play the fullback and running back roles. Jacquizz Rodgers is a great fit for a Darren Sproles-type role in the offense. James Rodgers is a unique option here, who makes sense as a WR/RB/specialist hybrid.

Fullbacks

Bradie Ewing is a true fullback but has the receiving ability to play an H-back tight end-type role. Ewing is a lock to make the team.

It doesn't make sense for Atlanta to carry more than one fullback as for the past four years it hasn't had more than one on the opening day roster.

Wide Receivers

The three locks are All-Pro Roddy White, explosive sophomore player Julio Jones and slot man Harry Douglas.

There are seven to eight players competing for two to three spots. James Rodgers and Cody Pearcy are just too good on special teams and too versatile all around the formations to not keep on the roster. Kevin Cone is a great fit for the Falcons new offense under Dirk Koetter and should end up in the old Brian Finneran role as the third-down specialist.

Tight Ends

The new offensive coordinator will require more formation versatility, and while he has the All-Pro Tony Gonzalez in one spot as a lock, there are two backup spots up for grabs. It makes sense to bring back Michael Palmer as the more traditional TE backup and Aron White as more of a receiver TE backup making the roster.

Offensive Linemen

There are nine offensive linemen who will make the roster this year with seven being the game-day squad. Versatility is key under Mike Smith, and the locks to make the roster are Tyson Clabo, Justin Blalock, Peter Konz, Todd McClure and Joe Hawley.

The following four make the most sense to stay on the roster: Lamar Holmes, Will Svitek, Mike Johnson and Vince Manuwai.

The game-day roster will likely have Holmes-Blalock-McClure-Konz-Clabo as the starting offensive line if everyone is healthy in camp.

Defensive Linemen

Mike Nolan loves to have a bunch of people on the line and having six defensive ends and four defensive tackles. It wouldn't surprise to see Jonathan Massaquoi, John Abraham, Cliff Matthews, Kroy Biermann, Lawrence Sidbury and Ray Edwards as the six ends and Corey Peters, Travian Robertson, Peria Jerry and Jonathan Babineaux as the tackles.

Linebackers

There is a lot of competition after the final four locks of Lofa Tatupu, Akeem Dent, Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas. The two that are the best projections at outside linebacker backups are Pat Schiller and Spencer Adkins, as they are the best fits for the new scheme.

Defensive Backs

The 10 defensive backs will likely be split between four safeties and six cornerbacks. They will likely keep the same five corners from last year in Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson, Dominique Franks, Christopher Owens and Darrin Walls with the addition of Asante Samuel taking up the sixth spot.

At safety, Thomas DDcoud and William Moore are locks, but with a new coordinator, it makes sense to have new backups. Charles Mitchell will likely win a roster spot but Chad Faulcon could come out and surprise at strong safety backup.

Specialists

Matt Bryant, Matt Bosher and Joe Zelenka will all come back this year to reprise their roles as kicker, punter/kickoff specialist and snapper. Kick returner and punt returner will play a factor into who makes the roster, and Cody Pearcy and James Rodgers will be able to earn bonus points by being depth in multiple special teams spots as well as their natural receiver spots.

The projected 53-man depth chart:

QB: Matt Ryan/Chris Redman

RBF: Michael Turner/Jason Snelling/Jacquizz Rodgers

RBC: Jacquizz Rodgers/James Rodgers

FB: Bradie Ewing/Jason Snelling

WRF: Roddy White/James Rodgers

WRP: Julio Jones/Kevin Cone

WRS: Harry Douglas/Cody Pearcy

TE: Tony Gonzalez/Michael Palmer/Aron White

LT: Lamar Holmes/Will Svitek

LG: Justin Blalock/Vince Manuwai

C: Todd McClure/Joe Hawley