Pre-Draft Projected Starters: 2023 Atlanta Falcons

The NFL season is a few months away. The draft and OTAs are coming up this month and next month though. Here are the Projected Starters for the Atlanta Falcons as they look to win the NFC South this season.

Offense

Quarterbacks

Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke

Ridder will be the starter after beating out Heinicke in training camp. Heinicke will be a great backup as he has been for years and will most likely be seen this season at some point. They will fight every day to keep the starting position and prove that they are worth keeping on the roster after this season.

Offensive Line

Tyler Vrabel, Justin Shaffer, Ryan Neuzil, Jalen Mayfield, German Ifedi, Matt Hennessy, Jonotthan Harrison, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom G, and Kyle Hinton G

These guys will all compete for a spot on the line this year and at the center position. Tyler Vrabel will be on the line when the offense is on the field. Matt Hennessy will also be out there as the Falcons like him to protect their quarterback.

Running Backs

Tyler Allgeier, Cordelle Patterson, B.J. Baylor, Caleb Huntley, Clint Ratkovich, and Avery Williams

Allgeier will be the clear-cut starter after rushing for over 1000 yards in just his rookie season. Patterson will be his backup and the others will have to fight for spot three and possibly four.

Tight Ends

Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith, John Raine, Parker Hesse, Felepie Franks, John FitzPatrick, and Tucker Fisk

Kyle Pitts will be the starter for the Falcons at tight end as he has shown his worth at being on the field over the years. Jonnu Smith will be a second-string and could fight for the starting position. The rest will fight for spot three and then one on the practice squad if that’s someone Atlanta Falcons will want to keep around.

Wide Receivers

Drake London, Ra’Shaun Henry, Frank Darby, Mack Hollins, Jaren Bernhardt, and Josh Ali

Drake London will be one of the three on the field for the Falcons this fall. Ra’Shaun Henry and Frank Darby will also be out there when the offense is battling to reach the endzone. The others will fight for position four and then for a spot on the practice squad so the Falcons have one if they need it.

Defense

Defensive Line

Eddie Goldman NT

DT: David Onyemata, and Jalen Dalton

DL: Grady Jarrett, Timmy Horne, Ta’Quon Graham, and Joe Gaziona

DE: Amani Bledsoe

The Atlanta Falcons will need to find some more to stack their line as they look to make their defense better than last season. They will also need some more as they will need some backups when some of these guys go down to injury. Another NT and some more defensive ends will be great so the draft will be a good time to fill those spots.

Linebackers

ILB: Mykal Walker, Nate Landman, Dorian Etheridge, and Troy Anderson

LB: Kaden Ellis, Tae Davis, and David Anenih

OLB: Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DeAngelo Malone, Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, and Quinton Bell

These linebackers will all fight for a position this year as they look to the enforcers of the defense. They will also look to maybe retain a spot for years to come as well. Look for maybe some of these guys making other teams or the practice as the Falcons have to make some tough decisions.

Safeties

Javon Moffatt, Jaylinn Hawkins, Richie Grant, and Cornell Armstrong

These four and possibly a couple more as the Falcons add to their roster in the draft will fight for a spot to play safety this fall. The Atlanta Falcons have struggled with the safety position the last few years so this will be a great time for them to rebuild.

Cornerbacks

Dylan Mabin, Micah Abernathy, A.J. Terrell, John Reid, Jamal Peters, Mike Hughes, Casey Hayward, Matt Hawkins, Darren Hall, Javelin Guidry, and Dee Alford

These guys will have to fight for four spots on the Falcon’s roster for this upcoming season. I see Jamal Peters, Casey Hayward, Matt Hawkins, and Dee Alford earning those four spots.