Predicting the Last 5 Players to Make the Falcons' 53-Man Roster

The Atlanta Falcons are going to cut down to their 53-man roster on Friday. As part of that process, there will be a few guys who barely make the roster.

In fact, there are quite a number of players for Atlanta on the bubble. One name that springs to mind is Dominique Davis, though he seemingly has won the No. 2 quarterback job.

The final five who get selected as part of the final 53 would be at running back, No. 5 wide receiver, defensive lineman, linebacker and defensive back..

RB Antone Smith

Antone Smith has always been a great fit for the Falcons with his special teams play.

However, he has really taken to the new offense this preseason, looking like a legitimate NFL running back both as a rusher and receiver.

Smith has 11 runs for 39 yards in the preseason, but his true value to the Falcons will be as a receiver in their shotgun sets next to Jacquizz Rodgers. He provides an element of speed out of the backfield, as shown by his five catches for 52 yards with a long of 21.

WR Tim Toone

Speed, explosion and solid special teams play are what the Falcons are looking for out of their fifth wide receiver spot. Despite coming into the fold late, Tim Toone has proven to be someone worthy of a roster spot with his play as both a returner and a receiver.

In very limited action with the third teamers, Toone has three catches for 55 yards and a long touchdown pass from Dominique Davis. Expect him to see a lot of time on Thursday as he continues his quest to beat out Kevin Cone and Drew Davis for the final roster spot at wide receiver.

DE Cliff Matthews

The Falcons had five defensive ends and five defensive tackles on the roster in 2011.

However, the 2012 Falcons defense would be better served having six defensive ends and four defensive tackles and deploying more hybrid linebacker/defensive ends as a means of throwing a greater variety of fronts at opposing offenses.

Cliff Matthews has played well enough in preseason that another team would claim him off waivers should he be released. And he's the sixth-best defensive end the Falcons have.

Expect the team to keep the six guys and use many of them as backup hybrid linebackers.

LB Robert James

Speaking of linebackers, Robert James has shown his worth as one this preseason.

Having been just a practice squad player in his four years as a pro, James has shown that he is an excellent fit for coordinator Mike Nolan's defense as both an inside and outside linebacker.

He is tied for fourth on the team in tackles and even has a sack to his credit this preseason. He has looked solid in coverage knocking a ball or two away as well in each game.

While he hasn't performed or even earned a roster spot up until now, James should be a top backup in 2012.

S Shann Schillinger

Special teams is the name of the game when it comes to selecting either the sixth cornerback or fifth safety. In that case, there is no one better as a gunner for the Falcons than the Montana graduates of Shann Schillinger and Kroy Biermann.

Though not one of the team's better defenders, Schillinger still has shown a marked improvement since the acquisition of CB Asante Samuel and should be a backup safety and special teams ace on game days.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist and Trends and Traffic Writer for Bleacher Report. As a Featured Columnist, he covers the Atlanta Falcons, NFL and NFL Draft. He is also the Falcons analyst at Drafttek, runs the NFL Draft Website ScarDraft.com and hosts Kvetching Draftniks Radio.

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