Projecting the Atlanta Falcons' Depth Chart After Peak of Free Agency
The Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach and made a ton of signings in free agency. That alone means that the depth chart will undergo a massive shake-up from what it was during the 2014 season, in which the Falcons went 6-10 and barely improved from the year prior.
New head coach Dan Quinn will likely run a 4-3 offset scheme, which he has run at every spot as a defensive coordinator. On top of that, he'll likely also make sure that the offense embraces new coordinator Kyle Shanahan's zone-blocking schemes and deep-passing offense. Expect a different-looking Atlanta team in 2015.
Quarterbacks
1 of 10
Starter: Matt Ryan
Reserves: T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree
Obviously, Matt Ryan will be the starter, as he's the franchise quarterback and signed to a massive contract. The bigger question is who the backup is going to be. The Falcons brought back T.J. Yates to be the primary backup, and he fits in well with Kyle Shanahan's scheme.
He actually has experience within a similar one under Gary Kubiak. Sean Renfree is a solid third-string quarterback, but his sticking on the roster depends on whom the Falcons might draft or sign in undrafted free agency. And even then, Atlanta could wind up going with just a pair of quarterbacks on the final 53.
Running Backs and Fullbacks
2 of 10
Starter: Devonta Freeman
Change of Pace: Antone Smith
Fullback: Patrick DiMarco
Reserves: Jerome Smith, Ronnie Wingo
Devonta Freeman starting might be the biggest surprise of the offseason, but if the Falcons wanted to sign a running back, they would have done so by now. They look like they want to head into the draft with Freeman and Antone Smith as their top two backs and draft a power back in addition to it.
Smith is a great change-of-pace running back with a ton of explosiveness in him and could be much better with carries increasing. Patrick DiMarco isn't going to lose his job as a fullback unless the Falcons draft someone to take his job, which wouldn't make sense because you don't draft fullbacks.
Jerome Smith and Ronnie Wingo will compete for the final roster spot with whichever running back is drafted. Jerome and Wingo are both solid all-around backs with some power in their game, but it would be surprising to see either of them make the roster.
Wide Receivers
3 of 10
No. 1: Julio Jones
Possession: Roddy White
Slot: Leonard Hankerson
Reserves: Devin Hester, Eric Weems, Bernard Reedy, Freddie Martino, Nick Williams
Julio Jones is obviously going to be the No. 1 receiver for the Falcons in 2015. The 26-year-old's starting to enter both his athletic and instinctual prime in the NFL. Roddy White as the No. 2 receiver and primary possession target makes even more sense at this point in his career due to the 33-year-old slowing down.
White will also play in the slot at times with Leonard Hankerson on the outside. Hankerson will primarily be the third receiver and should line up in the slot every now and again. The Falcons could also look for a receiver to compete with the rest of the group for playing time.
Eric Weems, Bernard Reedy, Freddie Martino and Nick Williams don't strike fear into anyone on the defensive side of the ball. However, Devin Hester could be a shockingly good fit for Kyle Shanahan's offense and could end up beating out Hankerson for the slot role.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tight Ends
4 of 10
Starting Tight End: Levine Toilolo
H-Back: Jacob Tamme
Reserves: Tony Moeaki, Mickey Shuler, Kyle Miller
Levine Toilolo still is the likely starter for the Falcons in 2015. The signings of Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki don't inspire anyone into thinking that they should be the instant starters over Toilolo. Toilolo is a solid blocker who has potential to be a mid-level starter in the NFL.
Tamme is the likely pass-catching option who will come in and line up all over the formation as a true H-back. Moeaki will have to compete with Mickey Shuler, Kyle Miller and a likely potential draft pick for the final roster spot unless the Falcons wind up keeping four tight ends on their 53-man roster.
Offensive Linemen
5 of 10
Left Tackle: Jake Matthews
Left Guard: Mike Person
Center: Joe Hawley
Right Guard: Jon Asamoah
Right Tackle: Ryan Schraeder
Interior Line Reserves: Jared Smith, Peter Konz, James Stone, Harland Gunn, Adam Replogle
Tackle Reserves: Sam Baker, Reid Fragel, Lamar Holmes
The offensive line is where the largest number of bodies are going to compete for the smallest number of open jobs. Four of the five starting roles should set pretty quickly as Jake Matthews, Joe Hawley, Jon Asamoah and Ryan Schraeder are far and away the best four linemen of the group.
They should start at the positions listed above. After that, there's a massive competition for starting left guard, where the future starter may not even be on the roster yet. With depth spots available after that, the Falcons have a ton of bodies for essentially nine spots: the five starting roles and four backup roles.
The four backup roles are essentially a center/guard game-day role and a guard/tackle game-day reserve role. Then the last two spots aren't even active on game days and are normally reserved for developmental talents.
Defensive Linemen
6 of 10
"Leo" Defensive End: Kroy Biermann
Nose Tackle: Paul Soliai
Under Tackle: Ra'Shede Hageman
Strong-side Defensive End: Adrian Clayborn
Reserve Ends: Prince Shembo, Stansly Maponga, Cliff Matthews, Malliciah Goodman, Jacques Smith
Reserve Tackles: Tyson Jackson, Jonathan Babineaux, Ricky Havili-Heimuli
With the new scheme under Dan Quinn, the Falcons will have to settle into the proper fits for their skill sets along the front line. Kroy Biermann as of now is the best option for a Leo defensive end, but Atlanta will likely take the starter there with its No. 8 pick and have Biermann in a utility backup role.
Paul Soliai starting at nose tackle eating up blocks and Ra'Shede Hageman developing as the starting 3-technique defensive tackle make a ton of sense as well. Adrian Clayborn looks like he was signed to be the starting strong-side defensive end.
Malliciah Goodman, Tyson Jackson and Jonathan Babineaux look like guys who will have spots in their respective rotation. Prince Shembo looks like he's going to compete for playing time at either Leo or strong-side linebacker. The Falcons have a ton of depth options as well to compete.
The back of the roster in 2015 is a group of guys who saw a lot of playing time in 2014 in Stansly Maponga and Cliff Matthews. Jacques Smith and Ricky Havili-Heimuli right now look like camp bodies, but with a new coaching staff, no one knows just how good they can be in 2015.
Linebackers
7 of 10
Weak-side Linebacker: Justin Durant
Middle Linebacker: Paul Worrilow
Strong-side Linebacker: Brooks Reed
Reserves: Marquis Spruill, O'Brien Schofield, Joplo Bartu, Allen Bradford, Nate Stupar, Tyler Starr
When Justin Durant and Brooks Reed were signed, Paul Worrilow probably breathed a sigh of relief that he'll have competent linebackers around him. Joplo Bartu is solid but a better fit as a backup and special teams guy. Marquis Spruill and O'Brien Schofield might find some playing time as depth options.
Nate Stupar and Allen Bradford look like ideal special teams linebackers and backups as well. The wild card is Tyler Starr. He's extremely quick and has some good athleticism despite not being explosive off the line. Based on his athleticism, Atlanta could move him inside and develop him into a solid reserve there.
Cornerbacks
8 of 10
Left Cornerback: Desmond Trufant
Right Cornerback: Robert Alford
Nickel Cornerback: Phillip Adams
Reserves: Ricardo Allen, Jordan Mabin
Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford starting at corner was never going to change during the offseason, but the addition of Phillip Adams gives the Falcons a likely nickel cornerback in 2015. Adams will have to compete with Ricardo Allen and Jordan Mabin for that spot, though.
However, with just five cornerbacks on the roster, the Falcons don't seem to have enough guys who truly fit what Dan Quinn is looking for in cornerbacks. They should draft one cornerback and sign a couple more undrafted free agents who fit the athletic profile.
Safeties
9 of 10
Free Safety: Dezmen Southward
Strong Safety: William Moore
Dime Safety: Kemal Ishmael
Depth Guys: Charles Godfrey, Brandon Bishop, Zeke Motta and Sean Baker
Dezmen Southward and William Moore are the Falcons' most athletic safeties and should easily fit into their new roles as a deep safety and playmaking strong safety, respectively. Kemal Ishmael should reprise his role as a dime-package safety and top reserve should either Moore or Southward go down.
In competition for the final roster spot, the Falcons should bring in someone to potentially develop into the starting free safety one day. Charles Godfrey, Brandon Bishop and Sean Baker all have a shot at the roster, but if Zeke Motta is healthy from his neck injury, he could end up being a potential surprise in the defense.
Special Teams
10 of 10
Kicker: Matt Bryant
Punter/Kickoffs: Matt Bosher
Long Snapper: Josh Harris
Return Specialist: Devin Hester
Special Teams Aces: Eric Weems and Antone Smith
Not a single change happened here. The Falcons seemed to be content with what they had in 2014. And honestly, it makes a ton of sense to do so. Their 2014 special teams group was among the best all around, and the only way to really make it better is to add talent to the gunner corps.
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
