A deep breakdown of the Atlanta Falcons 53-man roster
Tight Ends
- Austin Hooper
- Luke Stocker
- Jaeden Graham
Austin Hooper remains the starter after a Pro Bowl season last year and improving his numbers each of his three seasons in the league. I expect him to take another step forward in 2019 and make it back to back Pro Bowl seasons. The Falcons may not have an elite talent like Tony Gonzalez anymore but Hooper is a solid playmaker that can help Matt Ryan in the passing game.
Luke Stocker won’t put up a lot of numbers but is a solid guy to have on your team and has been in Dirk Koetter’s offense for a season and a half while spending time in Tampa Bay. Stocker is very versatile and can block, catch and even run when need to. He spent sometime during the preseason playing fullback as well as tight end and preformed well. He’s an all-around tight end that every team wants to have.
Jaeden Graham made the team after having a solid preseason after spending last season on the Falcons practice squad, posting 12 catches for 127 yards. His production paved the way for Atlanta to trade Eric Saubert to the New England Patriots for a late-round draft pick.
Offensive Line
- Jake Matthews
- Matt Gono
- James Carpenter
- Jamon Brown
- Alex Mack
- Wes Schweitzer
- Chris Lindstrom
- Ty Sambrailo
- Kaleb McGary
The offensive line has seen a major shakeup during the offseason to try and help give Matt Ryan better protection and to create more lanes for the running backs. Left tackle Jake Matthews and center Alex Mack are the veterans that hold this line together.
The first move during the offseason was signing Ty Sambrailo to a three-year extension and then signing free agent guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown to compete for the starting left guard position. The Falcons are still undecided who will start week one at left guard between Carpenter and Brown but as of now, Carpenter is listed as number one on the depth chart. This is a bit concerning that they may not be confident in either for the starting role.
As for Ty Sambrailo, they originally had him play on the right tackle side but switched him to backup Matthews on the left side of the offensive line. The Falcons drafted two linemen Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Lindstrom looks to start at right guard over Matt Gono but this is another position that the Falcons have gone back and forth with on the depth charts. McGary is the future but not much separated the two of them in the preseason for the coaching staff to make a final call on the starter for week one.
Wes Schweitzer looks to backup Alex Mack at center but can play at tackle if need be like he did in previous seasons.