Can Cobee Bryant and Nick Nash make Atlanta’s roster? Kevin Knight brings you his first Falcons 53-man roster projection of the 2025 cycle with thoughts on the UDFAs chances of the making the roster, how the team will organize the defensive line, and more.
The 2025 NFL Draft is behind us, and the Atlanta Falcons have filled their 90-man roster with free agent additions, drafted rookies, and UDFA signings. This year’s roster is significantly heavier on rookie additions and I’d expect more roster spots taken by the “youth movement” as a result. Atlanta added three UDFAs in particular—cornerback Cobee Bryant, wide receiver Nick Nash, and offensive lineman Joshua Gray—that all had draftable grades, and I expect all three to contend for the final 53-man roster.
Speaking of, it’s time for our first Falcons roster projection of the 2025 cycle. There are a lot of new faces and moving pieces, particularly on the defensive side, that make this a pretty fun exercise. Given that we’ve seen exactly one day of rookie minicamp thus far, this is all based purely on my subjective opinion on these players. As we move through the summer, things should become a bit clearer.
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Italics denote a change from the previous roster projection.
OFFENSE – 24
Quarterback – 3
Michael Penix Jr.
Kirk Cousins
Easton Stick
Michael Penix Jr. takes over the starting quarterback job after a riveting three-game stretch to close out the season that was about as good as you could reasonably hope to see. All eyes will be on Penix to elevate this offense to a top-10 level in 2025, as that’s Atlanta’s best hope for the postseason. Kirk Cousins remains as the backup—for now—and is the NFL’s best (and most expensive) insurance policy. Former Chargers backup Easton Stick was signed just before the draft and will figure to handle QB3 duties as a solid, if uninspiring, backup option.
Running Back – 3
Bijan Robinson
Tyler Allgeier
Jase McClellan
With the Falcons moving on from return specialist Avery Williams, I expect the running back room to shrink down to three in 2025. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier will handle all the snaps, with second-year back Jase McClellan best situated to handle the reserve role. Atlanta added some competition in Elijah Dotson and UDFA Nate Carter, but McClellan should begin camp as the favorite.
Tight End – 3
Kyle Pitts
Charlie Woerner
Nikola Kalinic
Another room that the Falcons didn’t invest much of anything in this offseason. Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner will handle virtually all the snaps at tight end. As far as TE3 goes…pick your favorite. Nikola Kalinic spent a lot of time with the Rams in a similar offense over the past two seasons, which could give him an advantage.
Wide Receiver – 6
Drake London
Darnell Mooney
Ray-Ray McCloud
KhaDarel Hodge
Jamal Agnew
Nick Nash
The Falcons struck gold with Darnell Mooney in free agency last season. Adding him next to Drake London gives Atlanta one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL heading into 2025. If not for an injury that held him out of the final game, Mooney would’ve topped 1,000 yards (he finished with 992) and given the Falcons their first 1,000+ WR duo since Roddy White and Julio Jones all the way back in 2012. Ray-Ray McCloud was a better WR3 than expected last season and is likely to reprise that role as one of the only yards-after-catch threats on the roster.
KhaDarel Hodge was re-signed to be the team’s special teams ace and primary depth receiver. The Falcons brought in return specialist Jamal Agnew in the hopes of improving what was a very ineffective unit in 2024. If he can stay healthy, he should be a meaningful upgrade. The battle for WR6 will be a legendary one in training camp, but I’m planting my flag on UDFA Nick Nash. Nash won the “triple crown”, leading the NCAA in receiving yardage (1382), receptions (104), and receiving touchdowns (16) last season. The quarterback convert has only played receiver for two seasons and lacks top-end athleticism, but there’s clearly something special going on here. Comparisons to Mohamed Sanu are apt, as Nash also tossed two passing TDs on trick plays in 2024.
Offensive Line – 9
LT Jake Matthews
LG Matthew Bergeron
C Ryan Neuzil
RG Chris Lindstrom
RT Kaleb McGary
T Storm Norton
T Jack Nelson
G Elijah Wilkinson
C Jovaughn Gwyn
The Falcons lost center Drew Dalman in free agency, opening the door for former UDFA Ryan Neuzil to step into the starting lineup. Neuzil filled in for Dalman in eight games during the 2024 season, keeping the offense on track and looking like a solid starter. He’ll now be entrusted to keep things moving in 2025 alongside returning starters at all four other spots. If Neuzil can play at or above the level he showed last year, Atlanta’s starting five could retain their spot as one of the top-10 offensive lines in the league.
In terms of depth, the Falcons brought back pretty much everyone from 2024. Storm Norton returns as one of the more reliable swing tackle in the NFL. There is likely to be a battle between veterans Elijah Wilkinson and Kyle Hinton for the backup guard spot, but I think Wilkinson is the better player. Atlanta has been developing 2023 seventh-rounder Jovaughn Gwyn at center, and it looks like it’s now or never for him to move into the backup role. Rookie Jack Nelson is an intriguing developmental tackle who I think the team will need to stash on the 53.
DEFENSE – 26
Edge Defender – 6
Arnold Ebiketie
Leonard Floyd
Jalon Walker
James Pearce Jr.
Zach Harrison
Bralen Trice
What a difference a year makes. In one offseason, the Falcons have completely reshaped their group of edge defenders with a massive youth infusion. My view of the situation, based on what Atlanta has said thus far, is that there will be two “roles” that have their own rotations: stand-up/LEO, and 5T/big end. I think there will be plenty of flexibility and Atlanta will mix up the usage—for example, on third and long the team will probably deploy two stand-up rushers, while on goal-line or short-yardage plays there are likely to be two big ends on the field. But on the majority of plays, we’ll probably see one LEO and one 5T on the field.
For the LEO group, Arnold Ebiketie is entering a critical contract year and should have a primary role. Leonard Floyd joined the team in free agency after an 8.5-sack year with the 49ers. While he’ll be entering his age 33 season and can’t handle a massive snap count, Floyd could be a critical pass rush specialist. A pair of first-round picks in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. should integrate into this group as well, though I could see Walker having a more unique role that has him playing some SAM/overhang linebacker in base defense.
For the big ends, Zach Harrison is likely to be the starter. Harrison is moving back to edge after a dalliance on the interior, although the Falcons say they’re keeping him at a higher weight. Harrison is massive and powerful and should be a much more impactful player outside. 2024 third-rounder Bralen Trice missed the entire season with injury, but should also be a primary contributor here. Don’t forget that Trice measured in at an imposing 275 pounds despite being a stand-up rusher in college. His versatility will be useful for Atlanta. Although he’s listed with the interior players, Brandon Dorlus is also likely to play some 5T as needed.
Interior Defensive Line – 6
David Onyemata
Ruke Orhorhoro
Brandon Dorlus
Morgan Fox
LaCale London
Ta’Quon Graham
The interior defensive line wound up being the most disappointing unit on the entire Falcons roster in 2024, as pretty much everyone underperformed relative to 2023 and the rookies barely saw the field. Much of that blame can be placed on former defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers, but it’s also likely that there was simply some decline from aging veterans. Stalwart captain Grady Jarrett was released for massive cap savings, and that could be the case for David Onyemata as well. Onyemata has the third-highest cap hit on the team and a post-June 1st release would create $10M in cap savings for Atlanta. Because Onyemata’s contract was restructured last year, he can’t be “designated” as a post-June 1st cut. The cut actually has to take place after June 1st.
If he stays, he’ll obviously be expected to remain a major contributor at that price tag. Behind him, Ruke Orhorhoro should move into the starting lineup with high expectations given his draft status and lack of playing time in 2024. The same goes for Brandon Dorlus, although to a lesser extent. Dorlus is likely to split time at edge as a true inside/outside player in the mold of a Derrick Shelby, and could be the most multiple player on the defensive line this year. Veteran Morgan Fox joins the lineup as a rotational pass rush specialist who still has some juice. LaCale London has apparently bulked up to 330 to play nose tackle, and seems like a shoe-in for the roster given that the team has no other NT around. Former fifth-round pick Ta’Quon Graham should round out the unit as a versatile depth piece.
Linebacker – 4
Kaden Elliss
Divine Deablo
Troy Andersen
JD Bertrand
It was a similar story at linebacker, which was a massive disappointment in 2024 outside of veteran Kaden Elliss. As a result, the Falcons brought in Divine Deablo from the Raiders to give the team a better option in coverage and add more athleticism to the group. Deablo is a bit of a wild card, but could be a good fit in this scheme. Former second-rounder Troy Andersen missed the majority of the 2024 season to injury and it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll bring to the table entering a “last chance” contract year season. I’m still pulling for him, but the clock has almost run out. Second-year linebacker JD Bertrand rounds out the group as a depth piece who didn’t make much of an impact as a rookie, but has some potential. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention rookie Jalon Walker, who will almost certainly play some snaps as a SAM/overhang linebacker but may not necessarily be a part of this group on paper.
Cornerback – 6
A.J. Terrell
Mike Hughes
Billy Bowman Jr.
Clark Phillips III
Dee Alford
Cobee Bryant
The outside cornerback spots should be in good hands with A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes, who both performed admirably in 2024 despite a challenging scheme. Terrell will hopefully be put in more advantageous coverage to take advantage of his strengths, while Hughes just needs to be left on the outside (where he’s actually a good starter!). The big camp battle will come at slot, where incumbent starter Dee Alford returns after a down year to face off with intriguing rookie Billy Bowman Jr. I think Bowman wins the job, particularly if Atlanta is going to stick with a zone-heavy coverage scheme, but Alford is still good depth. Clark Phillips III should remain the primary depth/rotational cornerback and I continue to believe he’s just a better option outside. Feisty UDFA Cobee Bryant should have been drafted, and I think he’ll beat out the competition and demand a spot on the 53.
Safety – 4
Jessie Bates III
Xavier Watts
Jordan Fuller
DeMarcco Hellams
The Falcons safety room looks very good from top to bottom. Jessie Bates III is arguably the best in the game, and he’s joined by rookie Xavier Watts to form what could be the best ballhawking tandem in the league. Behind them, Atlanta has two thumping box defenders in Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams who have both performed well when called upon. While neither are high-end coverage players, they’re reliable enough and give the team a strong floor when combined with their run defense capability.
SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K Younghoe Koo
P Bradley Pinion
LS Liam McCullough
RETURNERS
KR Jamal Agnew/Ray-Ray McCloud
PR Jamal Agnew
While the Falcons are bringing in competition for Younghoe Koo, I still expect the veteran to return to form this season. Bradley Pinion and Liam McCullough round out the rest of the special teams unit and give Atlanta the same trio as last season.
At returner, Jamal Agnew figures to provide a spark if he can stay healthy. Ray-Ray McCloud is likely to factor in as well. Other potential competitors could be UDFA RB Nate Carter, who has some impressive testing, and veteran receiver Phillip Dorsett.
PRACTICE SQUAD – 16
QB Emory Jones
RB Carlos Washington Jr.
WR Casey Washington
WR Chris Blair
TE Joshua Simon
T Brandon Parker
G Kyle Hinton
C Joshua Gray
EDGE DeAngelo Malone
DT Kentavius Street
LB Nick Kubitz
LB Malik Verdon
CB Natrone Brooks
CB Mike Ford Jr.
S Kevin King
K Lenny Krieg
What are your thoughts on this potential roster for the Falcons? Any UDFAs you think will make the final 53? Who are your favorite sleepers for the roster and practice squad?