What did we learn from the preseason finale?
The Atlanta Falcons preseason has come to an end, and while very few Falcons that will start or see extensive playing time saw action last night, the team still provided a few takeaways to mull over as the final roster decisions are made.
Taylor Heinicke’s disappointing preseason is over
The quarterback who started games for the Falcons just last season took a big step backward this preseason. The first half Heinicke-led offense had less than 100 total yards, scored zero points, and went one-for-six on third down. The Falcons’ second-team offense played against Jacksonville’s starting defense for a handful of drives, but the offense showed little improvement even when the Jaguars’ second unit started subbing.
Getting any draft capital from a quarterback-needy team seems far-fetched as we head into the waning hours of preseason. After the game concluded, Head Coach Raheem Morris was asked on the field which position he felt would be the toughest to evaluate for cuts, and quarterback, along with the defensive line, was named. Considering only Heinicke and undrafted free agent quarterback John Paddock are on the roster behind Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix, that feels telling.
Tight races in the secondary
Whether it’s safety or corner, this defensive staff will have some tough decisions for the final roster.
The Falcons have a drop-off in play after A.J. Terrell, but the room has been competitive the entire preseason, and the bottom of the room’s depth chart offers a lot. Kevin King has had a solid showing this preseason and got some running time at safety. He’s also been trying to make his case on special teams.
The emergence of Natrone Brooks has given the coaching staff a tough decision. The sure tackling corner has given up some receptions, but he has been fantastic in run support and pops on film. Like King, Brooks has also had a chance to show his value via special teams, and while he has yet to prove reliable as a returner, his sure tackling and effort have been on display.
Micah Abernathy and Dane Cruikshank have been neck and neck for the final safety spot, but one has to wonder if the usage of King has any implications for that battle and those players’ roster security. Jimmy Lake, Jerry Gray, and Raheem Morris will definitely be busy this weekend thinking about this room.
Return options are slim
Unfortunately for Atlanta, injuries have decimated the returner position, and no one has been able to fill the void left by Rondale Moore. Natrone Brooks muffed another return and has yet to show the staff he can be trusted back there. Other players we saw take reps likely won’t even make the team.
The team still has Ray-Ray McCloud and Avery Williams, but that pair is a bit one-dimensional, and McCloud will have a lot on his plate as a wide receiver. Initially, it appeared the staff wanted to avoid the WR3 having that kind of workload and that Moore’s elite speed would get featured on special teams, with the ability to work McCloud in as well. Hopefully, both can stay healthy for the season; if not, Atlanta will have a stagnant return game.
We’re not sure DeAngelo Malone did enough
It’s unclear how many players the Falcons will carry at certain positions, and outside linebacker is the biggest wild card. DeAngelo Malone did little on Friday night to make a case for his name to be considered worthy of an extra spot.
The player was non-existent in the pass rush, attempting almost no moves and practically disappearing sometimes. In previous games, he started to show up more on special teams, but tonight was just another player on the field. Malone was a player that many had hoped could crack the rotation just a month ago, but now it’s still being determined if he’s even earned a spot above Bradlee Anae. Terry Fontenot is likely adding another third-round miss to his resume when it comes time to cut down the roster.