Breaking Down the Atlanta Falcons Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft
After the 2015 NFL draft and free agency, the Atlanta Falcons roster looks almost completely different than it did in 2014. Sure, some of the bigger offensive names are still with the team. But the Falcons made so many changes on defense that it looks like a complete overhaul on that side of the ball.
Atlanta's defense needed an overhaul, though. It was one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2014, and with a new scheme and at least five new starters, they should have a much better defense during the 2015 season. The coaching roster was overhauled, but the player overhaul is more important to talk about.
The complete overhaul of a roster that needed some new blood was good to finally see happen. In order to break down all of the changes, each unit is going to be explored individually. Follow along for what has gone on this offseason with your favorite position group.
Quarterbacks
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Starter: Matt Ryan
Reserves: T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree
At quarterback, nothing has changed from 2014. And that's a great thing. Atlanta has one of the better quarterback situations in the NFL, with Matt Ryan starting for them and under contract through the 2018 season. He's an NFL top-10 quarterback year-in and year-out.
T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree are both inexpensive, talented quarterbacks who can back up Ryan and not change much in terms of how the Falcons play or how the offense is ran. The fact that there is little stylistic change at quarterback is always nice to have for a team that's based around a specific type at each spot.
Running Backs and Fullbacks
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Starter: Tevin Coleman
Change of Pace: Devonta Freeman
Fullback: Patrick DiMarco
Reserves: Antone Smith, Jerome Smith, Collin Mooney, and Terron Ward
Coming into the offseason after Steven Jackson's horrible performance the past two seasons and mediocrity Jaquizz Rodgers' mediocrity the previous four seasons, the Falcons needed to completely revamp their running game. The first thing they did was bring in Kyle Shanahan and a zone-blocking scheme.
While not known for the power aspects of most running games, the zone-blocking scheme can still gain a lot of yardage and is predicated on minimizing negative plays by allowing a running back to key his gap as opposed to forcing a gap open the way a gap or man-blocking scheme does.
Because of that, the Falcons needed to emphasize one-cut, speed backs in free agency and the draft. Tevin Coleman in the third round is a perfect fit for the Falcons offense and should start right away. After him, Devonta Freeman should provide the ideal change of pace.
Antone Smith is a home run hitter who will come off the bench, while Jerome Smith and Terron Ward will compete for the final roster spot at running back. At fullback, Collin Mooney and Patrick DiMarco will compete for a starting fullback role and a potential short-yardage tailback role.
Wide Receivers
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Featured Receiver: Julio Jones
Possession Receiver: Roddy White
Slot Receiver: Devin Hester
Reserves: Leonard Hankerson, Justin Hardy, Eric Weems, Freddie Martino, Nick Williams, Bernard Reedy, Joshua Stangby, Shane Wynn, and Marquez Clark
Of course, the Falcons kept Julio Jones to be the No. 1 receiver in the offense, and his role should expand with the addition of Kyle Shanahan as the offensive coordinator. Shanahan loves to feature the No. 1 receiver in every single part of the field and will love how ridiculously talented Jones is.
The No. 2 or possession receiver job should go to Roddy White easily even after he battles everyone else in training camp. The slot receiver role is a bit different. Justin Hardy was selected in the fourth round and is a vast improvement from Harry Douglas in that role. However, Devin Hester showed flashes in 2014.
Atlanta also has quite a few younger players who could make an impact like Freddie Martino or Leonard Hankerson. If the Falcons wanted to have their best possible competition at receiver, they finally have the most talent at the position that they have ever had.
They may not have the ideal special teams aces coming out of their ranks with the loss of Drew Davis, but Eric Weems is back to potentially re-claim that job. In the end, it wouldn't be shocking to see six receivers on the Falcons' final roster.
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Tight Ends
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Starter: Levine Toilolo
H-back: Jacob Tamme
Reserves: Tony Moeaki, Mickey Shuler, and Beau Gardner
Tight end was one of the biggest weaknesses on the 2014 Falcons roster. Sure, Levine Toilolo was just a second-year player, but his production only increasing from 11 catches to 31 catches despite an extra 40 targets isn't a good thing at all. He saw his average per catch increase, though.
There is breakout potential with Toilolo. He's young, athletic and a giant target. Kyle Shanahan also loves to use tight ends in his offense more and could find a role for Toilolo that Koetter had trouble doing. Hopefully, bringing in Jacob Tamme to mentor and help out as an H-back will help Toilolo too.
Should Toilolo fail, the Falcons will hope for Tony Moeaki to revert to his rookie form that was comparable to Alge Crumpler's early days. And if that doesn't happen, Atlanta is essentially punting at the position for another season with the likes of Mickey Shuler and Beau Gardner rounding out the roster.
Offensive Linemen
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Left Tackle: Jake Matthews
Left Guard: Mike Person
Center: Joe Hawley
Right Guard: Jon Asamoah
Right Tackle: Ryan Schraeder
Swing Tackle Primary Reserve: Lamar Holmes
Center/Guard Primary Reserve: James Stone
Reserves: Peter Konz, Sam Baker, Jared Smith, Harland Gunn, Adam Replogle, Jake Rodgers, Eric Lefeld, Cody Clay, and Valerian Ume-Ezeoke
Despite what some national personalities have said about the Falcons' offensive line, this might be their deepest unit on the roster. Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder showed that they were worth starting in 2015 at offensive tackle with their performances for most of 2014.
They were quick enough to handle speed rushers, while also strong enough to set the edge versus the power rushers. They also showed competence when Atlanta went with zone-rushing attacks and should love Kyle Shanahan's running scheme.
As long as Joe Hawley stays healthy, he's the lock for starting center and could be a ridiculously good one. Add in the steady-playing Jon Asamoah to this line at right guard, and Atlanta has four spots that should be at least above-average along their offensive line.
That leaves a big hole at left guard, though. As of right now, the favorite to win the job would be Mike Person just based on experience at the position and athletic fit. However, anyone listed under the reserves category or Lamar Holmes or James Stone could be the fit as the starter there.
Atlanta really needs someone who is quick enough to get to the second level in zone blocking, while also able to hold his own against defensive tackles in pass blocking. Holmes will have to slim down a bit from his 2014 self, but if he does, he could be the best fit there long term.
Defensive Linemen
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"Leo" Defensive End: Vic Beasley
1-Technique Nose Tackle: Paul Soliai
3-Technique Defensive Tackle: Ra'Shede Hageman
Strong-side Defensive End: Adrian Clayborn
Reserve Defensive Tackles: Jonathan Babineaux, Grady Jarrett, Tyson Jackson, Ricky Havili-Heimuli, Joey Mbu, Chris Brown, and Warren Herring
Reserve Defensive Ends: Kroy Biermann, Malliciah Goodman, Cliff Matthews and Stansly Maponga
When Dan Quinn got hired by the Falcons, his defensive upheaval was going to start right up front with how the Falcons aligned and how they put the right guys in positions to succeed. It starts by putting Paul Soliai as a 1-technique defensive tackle and Ra'Shede Hageman as a 3-technique defensive tackle.
Then, the Adrian Clayborn signing gives the Falcons a good fit for the strong-side defensive end, with Tyson Jackson and Malliciah Goodman competing for the roster spot behind him. At defensive tackle, Grady Jarrett and Jonathan Babineaux look like ideal rotational tackles.
Ricky Havili-Heimuli, Joey Mbu, Chris Brown and Warren Herring all look like solid camp bodies with potential to make the roster should there be an injury to someone above them on the depth chart. But the real questions up front came from the Leo defensive end.
Kroy Biermann is best suited as the rotational piece that he'll become, while Stansly Maponga shouldn't start. Cliff Matthews is likely a camp body that won't make the roster either. So that leaves a huge hole for the Falcons at arguably the most important position on the defense.
That's where the No. 8 pick comes into play. Vic Beasley out of Clemson couldn't have been a better fit for Quinn's defense as the Leo defensive end. His speed and pass-rushing ability make him the ideal fit at the role. And while there are questions about his run defense, playing the contain role will hide those.
Linebackers
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Strong-side Linebacker: Brooks Reed
Middle Linebacker: Paul Worrilow
Weak-side Linebacker: Justin Durant
Reserves: O'Brien Schofield, Joplo Bartu, Prince Shembo, Marquis Spruill, Nate Stupar, Tyler Starr, Allen Bradford, Derrick Malone and Derek Akunne
When it comes to linebackers, the Falcons needed some wholesale improvements. With Dan Quinn, the Falcons had to get more athletic and healthier at the position too. Because of that, they went out and signed Brooks Reed and Justin Durant to start on the outside positions.
Durant was arguably the best Dallas defender in 2014, while Reed is a perfect fit for the strong-side linebacker role in Quinn's 4-3. Paul Worrilow should start at middle linebacker in Quinn's defense as he's the best fit on the roster for the role. It's a bit of a step back from his 2014 role, though.
Worrilow shouldn't play in as many different coverages and should be allowed to play a short-zone, focus-on-the-run and blitz-type role that takes advantage of his strengths and hides his weaknesses. As far as backups are concerned, Atlanta has multiple talented strong-side backups in Prince Shembo and O'Brien Schofield.
At middle linebacker, Joplo Bartu, Nate Stupar and Allen Bradford all look like they will compete for the final spot behind Worrilow. When it comes to backup weak-side linebacker Tyler Starr and Marquis Spruill should both get a spot to compete there for the backup role.
The only real question comes from the undrafted free agents signed. Derrick Malone and Derek Akunne both are athletic linebackers who have solid instincts. But as a whole, they don't look like anything more than camp bodies for July.
Cornerbacks
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Left Cornerback: Desmond Trufant
Right Cornerback: Robert Alford
Nickel Cornerback: Jalen Collins
Reserves: Ricardo Allen, Dezmen Southward, Akeem King, Phillip Adams, Kevin White, Mike Lee, and Jordan Ozerities
At cornerback, the Falcons just got much stronger this offseason. They lost a trio of nickels in Robert McClain, Javier Arenas and Josh Wilson, but they added better athletes in Jalen Collins, Akeem King and are toying with Dezmen Southward as a cornerback as well.
Desmond Trufant is still the unquestioned starter and best cornerback on the roster, but Robert Alford has a lot of competition with Collins on the roster for his starting right cornerback role. Alford is the best fit for nickel, but he could also move to safety.
King is a top-level athlete who fits in best as a fourth- or fifth-best cornerback in the defense. Kevin White, Phillip Adams, Mike Lee and Jordan Ozerities look like they will be in competition for the final roster spot at cornerback with the winner being the best special teams player.
The real wild card here is what happens with the Southward-Alford dynamic. One of them will wind up at cornerback and the other at free safety. The real question is who ends up where. Skill sets are important when it comes to Quinn's defense, and a flip of Southward and Alford could put the right guys in the right spots.
Safeties
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Strong Safety: William Moore
Free Safety: Dezmen Southward or Robert Alford
Reserves: Charles Godfrey, Kemal Ishmael, Sean Baker, Terell Floyd, Robenson Therezie and Damian Parms
When it comes to strong safety, William Moore is the ideal fit for the role. He's very similar to Kam Chancellor. At free safety, the Falcons would need someone who can cover the deep third. While Kemal Ishmael performed admirably as a strong safety in 2014, he's not a great fit at free safety for 2015.
Dezmen Southward or Robert Alford will be the best fit at free safety, as they have the requisite raw speed, agility and instincts to be highly effective at the position. Charles Godfrey is a dark horse to start at the position, but he's not an ideal fit after being mediocre in 2014.
Sean Baker, Terell Floyd, Robenson Therezie and Damian Parms are all going to compete for the final roster spot at safety. Much like cornerback, the final safety needs to be a talented special teams player; otherwise, they will find themselves on a practice squad at best.
Special Teams
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Kicker: Matt Bryant
Punter/Kickoff Specialist: Matt Bosher
Long Snapper: Josh Harris
Return Specialist: Devin Hester
Atlanta's special teams unit stays in tact for yet another season. Matt Bryant is truly money with his kicks, as his only misses in 2014 were from beyond 50 yards. Those are tough kicks to make regardless of who you are and how strong your leg is.
At punter, Matt Bosher returns after posting another solid year in regard to net punting average inside 20 percentage and kickoff average. He also made sure to boot the ball high and far allowing his coverage units to get downfield and make plays on the kickoff returners.
At long snapper, Josh Harris rarely screwed up a snap. Devin Hester was his normal self as a returner too. He averaged over 25 yards on every kick return and over 13 on every punt return. He also had another return for a touchdown in 2014. If he can continue to show his prowess on returns, his contract is a steal.
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats.com 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.
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