Predicting 2012 Atlanta Falcons 2-Deep Depth Chart, Pre-Training Camp

The Falcons go into training camp with a depth chart that has quite a few starters entrenched into their starting spot. And while there will be a lot of good camp battles, exploring the Falcons depth chart is the exercise of the day.

The depth chart definitely is not set in stone by any means at this point, and there will be a group of camp battles listed as well.

Quarterback

Matt Ryan

Chris Redman

Matt Ryan is the long term starter for the Falcons and is the franchise player. He's going to be firmly entrenched into the starting role for a long time in Atlanta.

Chris Redman is arguably one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL and ESPN has him as the fourth-best backup in terms of confidence in him in the league.

Feature Running Back

Michael Turner

Jason Snelling

Michael Turner has been the Falcons starting running back since the 2008 season and will continue his role as the main feature back.

When he needs a breather in shorter-yardage situations, expect Jason Snelling to come in as he can catch, block or run out of the backfield and gives a lot of disguise with his talents.

Change of Pace Running Back

Jacquizz Rodgers

Jason Snelling

Rodgers is the ideal fit for the Falcons change-of-pace back in the new scheme under Dirk Koetter and will steal time away from Snelling in the role this year.

Snelling is still a valuable back, though, and will see playing time as part of the three-man rotation at running back.

Fullback

Bradie Ewing

Mike Cox

Ewing was a fifth-round pick this year and is the reason for the Falcons' releasing Ovie Mughelli. Cox filled in well during the 2011 season, but it's not looking like he will end up on the roster for the Falcons this season unless they carry two fullbacks.

Something that's less and less likely with the value provided by Jason Snelling.

No. 1 Wide Receiver

Roddy White

Julio Jones

Roddy White is the No. 1 until Julio Jones takes it from him or until he gets injured. It would make more sense for Julio to take it from him.

However, Roddy White has done something very few men have done with five straight years of at least 80 catches, 1,100 yards and six TDs.

No. 2 Wide Receiver

Julio Jones

Harry Douglas

Julio Jones is listed under the No. 2 spot, but he could very easily end up as the top wide receiver in 2012 for the Falcons.

He's looking to finally be completely healthy, and with the added time this offseason with coaches he didn't get his rookie year, he should only do that much better.

Slot Wide Receiver

Harry Douglas

Kerry Meier, for now

Harry Douglas is firmly entrenched into the third wide receiver spot and even signed a four-year deal to show his commitment to the franchise that's right around the corner from where he grew up.

However, behind him there will be a camp battle of at least three people, and right now, Kerry Meier is the one holding that spot.

Tight End

Tony Gonzalez

Michael Palmer

Gonzalez is a future Hall of Fame player and the best tight end of all time. Palmer earned his spot as the Falcons' top backup to Gonzalez the past two years and will only continue to fight for it in the new scheme under Koetter.

Left Tackle

Sam Baker

Will Svitek/Lamar Holmes

Sam Baker is living proof that a player can somehow make an NFL roster as a left tackle without any ability in pass blocking, and for now, will be starting. However, training camp provides a great battle between Baker, last year's starter Svitek and this year's third-round pick Lamar Holmes.

Holmes looks like the long term fit for left tackle starter.

Left Guard

Justin Blalock

Mike Johnson

Justin Blalock has started at left guard for the Falcons since the 2007 season and has earned his starting spot in every year he has played. Johnson is competing for the primary guard spot on the roster and should be able to win the spot as the primary backup at both left and right guard.

Center

Todd McClure

Joe Hawley

Heading into camp McClure is the starter, however, Joe Hawley should prevail as the man who wins the job. He's bigger, stronger and quicker and with the new screen game in Atlanta, the Falcons will be looking for someone who can pull out and block on the screens.

Right Guard

Vince Manuwai

Peter Konz

As of right this second, Manuwai would be starting in the right guard spot. However, he will likely get beat by rookie Peter Konz for the starting RG spot.

Contrary to popular belief, Konz is being looked at primarily as the starting right guard long term and not a starting center long term.

Right Tackle

Tyson Clabo

Will Svitek

Clabo has been starting at right tackle since the Smith/Dimitroff regime has come in and has been one of the best right tackles in the league in doing so.

Svitek will continue to be on the Falcons roster this year as he will continue his role as at least a swing tackle behind both left and right tackle.

Left Defensive End

Ray Edwards

Kroy Biermann

Edwards was the big free-agent signing in 2011, and while he wasn't able to give the Falcons a huge year, he should be able to have at least six sacks in 2012.

Kroy Biermann is a great rotational defensive end and has been that since he was drafted in 2008.

Nose Tackle

Corey Peters

Vance Walker

Corey Peters has started each of the past two years at nose tackle and is extremely unheralded as a top talent at defensive tackle. Vance Walker has been an excellent rotational player for the Falcons since 2009 at the nose tackle spot.

Under Tackle

Jonathan Babineaux

Peria Jerry

Babineaux has been one of the best 3-technique defensive tackles since he took over as a starter in 2007.

Peria Jerry is a former first-round pick who has been able to contribute as a rotational player but should only get better under the new scheme with coach Mike Nolan.

Right Defensive End

John Abraham

Lawrence Sidbury

John Abraham is one of the top five pass-rushers in the NFL at defensive end, and even despite his age, he will continue to be used as that.

Sidbury will see more playing time under the new scheme with coach Nolan and could even play some linebacker in 3-4 looks.

Weak-Side Linebacker

Sean Weatherspoon

Matt Hansen

Weatherspoon has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL in 2012. He will be taking on the leadership role of the defense. Hansen was on the Falcons practice squad in 2011 and should be able to compete for the backup role at weak-side linebacker.

Middle Linebacker

Lofa Tatupu

Akeem Dent

Tatupu and Dent will be competing. It's a three-time Pro Bowl player and former captain of the Seattle Seahawks defense versus a 2011 third-round pick and former captain of the Georgia Bulldogs defense.

Both men are leaders, strong run defenders and solid pass defenders. No matter who wins this battle, the Falcons will be the beneficiaries. 

Strong-Side Linebacker

Stephen Nicholas

Spencer Adkins

Nicholas has started at strong-side linebacker for the Falcons the past couple of years and will only continue to start unless someone has a ridiculous camp. Spencer Adkins is a long-time backup, but under new coordinator Mike Nolan, it's hard to see him 100 percent safe.

No. 1 Cornerback

Brent Grimes

Dominique Franks

Grimes is a Pro Bowl corner and one of the best in the NFL. He's cemented in the starting role as the Falcons' top corner.

Dominique Franks makes the most logical sense as his backup as he's an athletic player with one of the best ball-hawking skill sets outside of Grimes and Samuel on the team.

No. 2 Cornerback

Asante Samuel

Dunta Robinson

Samuel will be moved around the defense, but he will always be on the field and in a spot to make a play on the ball.

He's the best ball hawk of this generation of corners and will only be able to teach the entire Falcons' secondary how to play in the NFL.

Nickel Cornerback

Dunta Robinson

Dominique Franks

Robinson has been clamoring to be a nickel for the Falcons since he was brought in before the 2010 season. While he isn't a top corner as a starter, he will do best in the nickel role as he can play both the "big nickel" style safety or the normal nickel role at corner.

Free Safety

Thomas Decoud

Charles Mitchell

Thomas Decoud has been the Falcons' starting safety since 2009, and while he hasn't been a Pro Bowl-caliber safety, Mike Nolan will have him in a role that's perfect for both his skill set and his leadership talents.

Mitchell was the sixth-round pick in 2012 and will be a fast intelligent backup for Decoud.

Strong Safety

William Moore

Shann Schillinger

William Moore could be the X-Factor for the Falcons on defense, but he has to stay healthy. Schillinger was the sixth-round pick in 2009 and has been nothing but a pure special teams player for the Falcons.

If Moore goes down, this could be a scary situation for Atlanta unless Charles Mitchell can slide over and step up. That or they will have to cross-train Franks or Robinson here too.

Kicker

Matt Bryant

There isn't anyone else on the roster at kicker. If Bryant goes down, expect the Falcons to bring in someone in free agency and possibly even a rookie. However, Bryant is about as solid as they come at kicker.

Punter/Kickoff Specialist

Matt Bosher

Dawson Zimmerman

Matt Bosher was the Falcons punter and KOS in the 2011 season, and while they have Zimmerman on the roster for 2012's training camp, don't expect him to win the starting job any time soon unless Bosher goes down with injury.

Long Snapper

Joe Zelenka

Corey Adams

Joe Zelenka is unquestionably the Falcons long snapper for the 2012 season at this point. Sure, the Falcons brought in Corey Adams and Josh Harris this offseason, but it was only for competition in training camp at most, and Zelenka isn't going down easy.

Return Specialist

Harry Douglas (Punts)

Dominique Franks (Kicks)

Jacquizz Rodgers

The highly athletic trio here will be competing for the return spots. Mike Smith has made it known that he will put the best man for the job in the role, and right now, it's looking like Douglas and Franks would be the starters if camp ended today.