Falcons Reveal 1st Depth Chart: Bijan & Top Takeaways

It’s officially game week for the Atlanta Falcons, who just wrapped up the first of two joint practices against the Miami Dolphins and are set to kick off the preseason opener in Miami on Friday night.

And with real snaps inching closer and closer, the Falcons have taken another big step towards being ready to play, releasing their first official depth chart.

Here’s a look at how the Falcons will lineup …

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside

Running Back: Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson, Carlos Washington Jr., Godwin Igwebuike

Fullback: Keith Smith, Clint Ratkovich

No. 1 Receiver: Drake London, Scotty Miller, Josh Ali, Penny Hart, Slade Bolden, Matt Sexton, Xavier Malone

No. 2 Receiver: Mack Hollins, KhaDarel Hodge, Frank Darby, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Keilahn Harris

No. 1 Tight End: Kyle Pitts, Parker Hesse, John FitzPatrick

No. 2 Tight End:  Jonnu Smith, MyCole Pruitt, Tucker Fisk

Left Tackle: Jake Matthews, Josh Miles, Barry Wesley

Left Guard: Matt Hennessy, Matthew Bergeron, Jonotthan Harrison, Michal Menet

Center: Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil, Jovaughn Gwyn

Right Guard: Chris Lindstrom, Kyle Hinton, Justin Shaffer

Right Tackle: Kaleb McGary, Jalen Mayfield, Tyler Vrabel

DEFENSE:

Defensive Line No. 1: Grady Jarrett, Timmy Horne, Justin Ellis, LaCale London

Defensive Line No. 2: David Onyemata, Ta’Quon Graham, Carlos Davis, Albert Huggins

Defensive Line No. 3: Calais Campbell, Joe Gaziano, Zach Harrison, Caeveon Patton

No. 1 Outside Linebacker: Bud Dupree, Lorenzo Carter, Kemoko Turay

No. 2 Outside Linebacker: Arnold Ebiketie, Ade Ogundeji, DeAngelo Malone

No. 1 Inside Linebacker: Kaden Elliss, Mykal Walker, Tae Davis, Mike Jones

No. 2 Inside Linebacker: Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, Andre Jones

No. 1 Cornerback: A.J. Terrell, Cornell Armstrong, Breon Borders, Natrone Brooks

No. 2 Cornerback: Jeff Okudah, Tre Flowers, Darren Hall

Nickel Cornerback: Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, 

Free Safety: Jessie Bates, Jaylinn Hawkins, DeMarcco Hellams

Strong Safety: Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, Lukas Denis, Clifford Chattman

SPECIALISTS:

Kicker: Younghoe Koo

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long Snapper: Liam McCullough

Holder: Bradley Pinion

Punt Returner: Mike Hughes, Penny Hart, Scotty Miller

Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson

TAKEAWAYS

Falcons coach Arthur Smith has, historically, listed rookies low on the depth chart - he had Drake London at the very back of this list a year ago - and continued that trend this year, as no rookies are slated to start and first-round running back Bijan Robinson is slotted only at No. 3.

As a product of the above fact, Matt Hennessy is slated as the team's starting left guard over rookie second-round pick Matthew Bergeron. Hennessy held the role in training camp before going down with an injury, but Bergeron has been strong since taking over and certainly feels like the favorite here.

The battle to be Atlanta's No. 5 receiver has been competitive throughout camp, and Frank Darby and Josh Ali appear to be the two biggest challengers - from the looks of it, Ali has the early advantage, but Darby has been impressive during camp. How each player performs in the preseason will ultimately be the deciding factor.

It's a similar conversation for the No. 4 running back spot, where undrafted rookie Carlos Washington Jr. gets the nod above Godwin Igwebuike. This is a battle that will be particularly intriguing to watch in the preseason as both players should get plenty of touches.

Albert Huggins has been a standout in recent days but finds himself scraping the bottom of the depth chart on the interior defensive line. The same is true for 2022 third-round pick DeAngelo Malone at outside linebacker.

The fight for linebackers Nos. 4 and 5 on the roster were up for grabs entering camp, but Nate Landman and Tae Davis appeared to put a stranglehold on those spots over the past few weeks, and the depth chart reflects that.

At nickel corner, Dee Alford is now the overwhelming favorite to start, while Mike Hughes looks to serve in a rotational secondary role. Hughes, however, seems to be the runaway favorite at punt returner.

Lorenzo Carter started every game for the Falcons last season but is listed behind Bud Dupree to kick off the preseason. Dupree has looked quick, healthy and productive throughout his first few padded practices.

This is, of course, the first depth chart, and there will almost certainly be changes as the preseason progresses ... but for now, rookies aside, here's how Smith feels his squad is shaping up.

The Falcons will take another big step in the evaluation process this Friday night, with kickoff against the Dolphins in Hard Rock Stadium set for 7 p.m. EST.