The Falcons are likely to cut down to 75 players today, in plenty of time before for the Tuesday deadline.
There’s no reason to bring back 15 players on Monday, just to cut them on Tuesday, while you’re getting ready for the final exhibition game on Thursday.
“This year has been really interesting coming into camp to see how competitive it is at all levels,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “Not only at our veteran level, but also at the rookie level. Coach Mike Smith has done such a great job of getting the point across that it doesn’t matter where you were drafted or the money you’re paid or where you were the last few years. It is about competing for that job.”
There will be some tough decisions made and perhaps some of the players will resurface on the 10-member practice squad.
The Falcons don’t have to decide the backup quarterback, nickel back or right tackle spots today. Mostly, undrafted rookie free agents will be let go on this round of cuts.
Here's a position-by-position look -- LOCKS, ON THE BUBBLE and LONGSHOTS -- at how the Falcons are going to cut down to 75 players and then eventually 53 players for the start of the season :
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS (2)
LOCK: 2 Matt Ryan. ON THE BUBBLE: 13 TJ Yates and 12 Sean Renfree. LONGSHOT: 9 Jeff Mathews.
RUNNING BACKS 5/6)
LOCKS: 39 Steven Jackson, 32 Jacquizz Rodgers, 35 Antone Smith and 33 Devonta Freeman. ON THE BUBBLE: 42 Patrick DiMarco. LONGSHOTS: 34 Jerome Smith and 45 Maurice Hagens.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5/6)
LOCKS: 11 Julio Jones, 84 Roddy White, 83 Harry Douglas and 17 Devin Hester. ON THE BUBBLE: 15 Courtney Robert, Eric Weems and 89 Bernard Reedy. LONGSHOTS: 87 Tramaine Thompson, 16 Julian Jones, 14 Geraldo Boldewijn, 18 Freddie Martino and 7 Jeremy Ebert.
TIGHT ENDS (2/3)
LOCKS: 80 Levine Toilolo, 86 Bear Pascoe. ON THE BUBBLE: 82 Mickey Shuler. LONGSHOTS: 81 Jacob Pedersen, 49 Brian Wozniak.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9/10)
LOCKS: 70 Jake Matthews, 63 Justin Blalock, 61 Joe Hawley, 75 Jon Asamoah. ON THE BUBBLE: 76 Lamar Holmes, 73 Ryan Schraeder, 68 Gabe Carimi, 66 Peter Konz, 64 Pat McQuistan, 79 Mike Johnson, LONGSHOTS: 69 Harland Gunn, 74 Terren Jones, 67 Adam Replogle and 62 James Stone.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE ENDS (5/6)
LOCKS: 71 Kroy Biermann, 50 Osi Umenyiora, 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 94 Jonathan Massaquoi, 93 Malliciah Goodman. ON THE BUBBLE: 90 Stansly Maponga. LONGSHOTS: 45 Jacques Smith, 74 Theo Agnew,49 Tyler Starr and 46 Walker May.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (5/6)
LOCKS: 96 Paul Soliai, 99 Tyson Jackson, 91 Corey Peters, 77 Ra’Shede Hageman. ON THE BUBBLE: 92 Travian Robertson and 98 Cliff Matthews. LONGSHOTS: 65 Donte Rumph and 64 Nosa Eguae.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5/6)
LOCKS: 55 Paul Worrilow, 59 Joplo Bartu and 53 Prince Shembo. ON THE BUBBLE: 52 Tim Dobbins and 44 Pat Angerer. LONGSHOTS: 54 Yawin Smallwood, 48 Brenden Daley and 97 Darin Drakeford.
CORNERBACKS (5/6)
LOCKS: 21 Desmond Trufant, 23 Robert Alford, 26 Josh Wilson, 28 Javier Arenas and 27 Robert McClain. ON THE BUBBLE: 37 Ricardo Allen. LONGSHOTS: 24 Jordan Mabin and 43 Devonta Glover-Wright.
SAFETIES (3/4)
LOCKS: 25 William Moore, 20 Dwight Lowery, 41 Dezmen Southward and 36 Kemal Ishmael. ON THE BUBBLE: 29 Sean Baker and Tyrell Johnson. LONGSHOTS: 40 Kimario McFadden
SPECIALISTS (3)
LOCKS: K 3 Matt Bryant. P 5 Matt Bosher. LS 47 Josh Harris.
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