OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (3)

Michael Penix Jr. | Kirk Cousins | Easton Stick

After his performance against the Detroit Lions last Friday night, there was no way I am leaving Stick off this roster to get poached by another team. Absolutely not if you still consider a world in which the Falcons view Cousins as a tradeable asset down the road. I’m just saying… if that comes to pass, you’ll need a true backup. Stick showed last Friday he can be that if the need arises.

Running backs (2)

Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier

Tough cut: Carlos Washington Jr.

I am doing something in this 53-man roster projection that I have never done before: I am listing out who my tough cuts are. And Washington is the first listed. Now, is there a way for him back on the 53-man? Absolutely. But at this point in time, considering we haven’t seen him because of a hamstring injury, I couldn’t find it in me to take a spot away from someone else in order to keep him on the roster.

Wide receivers (6)

Drake London | Darnell Mooney | Ray-Ray McCloud | KhaDarel Hodge | Casey Washington | Jamal Agnew

Like Washington, Sills is another candidate for placement on the 53-man roster as moves to the practice squad and injuries are taken into account. He’s been getting a notable amount of looks with Penix and the first-team offense throughout the last week. Whether it be in London’s spot or alongside London in a “big” receiver set, Sills has been one of the training camp standouts. You always like to award those guys if you can. As for players like Chris Blair, Dylan Drummond, Nick Nash, Jesse Matthews, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them, either. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Falcons end up carrying a few receivers on the practice squad.

Something else we have to keep in mind? Mooney’s shoulder injury. If he is not ready to go Week 1, or even beyond that? That will absolutely move things around.

Tight ends (3)

Kyle Pitts | Charlie Woerner | Teagan Quitoriano

Tough cut: Feleipe Franks

Someone can correct me if I am wrong here, but I think every time Franks is an option to keep on this roster I have chosen not to… and yet he’s consistently found his way onto the actual initial roster. I say all of that to say this: When it comes to Franks, he always seems to find a way.

Offensive line (8)

Jake Matthews | Matthew Bergeron | Ryan Neuzil | Chris Lindstrom | Kaleb McGary | Storm Norton | Elijah Wilkinson | Jovaughn Gwyn

Tough cut(s): Kyle Hinton, Jack Nelson

The injury severity to Norton and how little I know about it makes my decision with this group difficult. When asked about Norton’s status on Aug. 13, head coach Raheem Morris said that “hopefully” Norton is coming along and “hopefully” he’ll be back. But ultimately?

“I don’t know,” Morris said.

That leaves us in a projection predicament. I have Norton on the 53-man for the time being, but I don’t count out the idea of Norton having to go on injured reserve, opening a spot up for someone like Nelson to get back on the roster. Remember, before a team can place someone on the regular season IR list, they must first be present on the 53-man roster. Do I know this for a fact that this is something the Falcons will do with Norton? No. I don’t know because, well, Morris doesn’t know the timeline for Norton’s return. But considering we haven’t seen Norton practice in a couple weeks, I am just trying to read the tea leaves.