Here are five who seem likely to stand out this summer.
The Atlanta Falcons brought in 11 undrafted free agents, and given both the team’s persistent need for quality young depth and Terry Fontenot’s remarks about the depth of this draft class, we ought to pay attention to those names.
Realistically, the Falcons will only have a small number of open roster spots to vie for, which means most of this UDFA class is more likely to hit the practice squad than the active roster. The talent assembled in that group of 11 and the team’s needs align in such a way that it’s not difficult to project one or two players making it outright, however. I’ve assembled the five I think are most likely to stick.
Take this with a healthy dose of sodium, given that summer performances can change everything, and a player like Nathan Carter at running back or Simeon Barrow at defensive end could take advantage of a strong showing and uncertainty on the bottom of the depth chart to push their way in. Still, talent, need, and fit work in the favor of these five players.
WR Nick Nash
A draftnik favorite, Nash was expected to go on day three but surprisingly went undrafted. He lacks elite speed and comes to the NFL with scouting reports that knock his route running and run blocking, two things Nash will absolutely need to stick on this Falcons roster.
In a deep and competitive group at receiver, though, Nash’s ability to win contested catches, fight through coverage down the sidelines, and overall toughness give him a shot to stand out. He’ll likely need to beat out Casey Washington for a sixth and final spot in the receiving corps, given that KhaDarel Hodge and Jamal Agnew are going nowhere.
TE Joshua Simon
In Simon’s case, it’s a combination of talent and what’s ahead of him. We know Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner are the top two tight ends on the depth chart, but we really don’t know who the third man is going to be. Feleipe Franks offers special teams acumen and some blocking skills, Nikola Kalinic a little pop in terms of blocking and some pass-catching skills, and Teagan Quitoriano solid blocking as well.
While Simon isn’t on the same level as Franks or Quitoriano as a blocker coming into the league, he is willing and capable, and he’s probably the most capable receiving tight end in the mix. Simon is fresh off a 2024 season where he put up career best numbers in receptions (40), yards (519), and touchdowns (9), and his 15 touchdowns over the past three seasons of college ball are a testament to his size, hands, and ability to win in the red zone.
There’s real talent here, and while Simon’s more likely to hit the practice squad than make the roster outright, there is no clear-cut third tight end to keep him at bay if he has a terrific summer. I could see him snagging TE3 duties over the long haul.
OL Joshua Gray
Widely projected as an early day three selection, Gray tumbled out of the draft entirely, which is to Atlanta’s benefit. The Falcons have consistently turned castoffs (Storm Norton, Kyle Hinton) and UDFAs (Ryan Neuzil) into consistent contributors under Dwayne Ledford, and Gray seems like the best bet to be the next player to turn into a useful reserve at minimum.
Tough, experienced, and athletic, Gray played a lot of tackle in college but switched to guard in 2024 and figures to stick there in the pros. His best bet at a roster spot is bumping Elijah Wilkinson off the team, which won’t be easy given Wilkinson’s experience but is hardly an impossibility. Unless the Falcons add more depth, there’s no other compelling options Gray has to battle, putting him on a collision course with a practice squad spot at minimum if he has a quality summer. Long-term, he has the talent to push for Hinton’s job as the team’s third guard of choice.
LB/S Malik Verdon
Verdon intrigues because he was a college safety the Falcons are listing at linebacker, and he has the traits to convert to that position and thrive with a few more pounds on his frame. Verdon is a seasoned zone coverage option who should at least be able to do passing work there at linebacker, offers big hits and good instincts against the run, and has a history of making big plays from pass breakups to forcing fumbles. As a player who could be a break-in-case-of-emergency option at safety and a big, rangy linebacker, Verdon could be a very fun long-term piece for Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich.
The Falcons will likely have to keep five linebackers or move Troy Andersen for Verdon to stick, but if they do, he only has to beat out fellow UDFA Nick Kubitz and special teamer Josh Woods to make the roster.
CB Cobee Bryant
A slight corner listed at just 174 pounds, Bryant plays with a lack of fear and a ton of aggression, which allows him to make big plays but sometimes gets him penalized as well. While the size and number of penalties are concerns in the NFL, the fact that Bryant is a ballhawk with 13 career college interceptions, his willingness and ability against the run, and his coverage chops all suggest he can be a very useful reserve at the next level.
This is a crowded depth chart at cornerback, with Billy Bowman Jr., Clark Phillips, Dee Alford, and Natrone Brooks all vying for spots alongside capable special teamers like Kevin King. Bryant will have to be really sharp to win a spot in that group, but given the talent he possesses, I’m not going to rule that out.
Who do you think has the best chance to make it on the roster from this group?