The remaking of the Falcons, a process to fit the roster to the style of head coach Dan Quinn, is set one week before the season opener against Philadelphia next Monday at the Georgia Dome.
Quinn, who was given authority over the final roster, has had one offseason to remake a team that can play the fast and physical football that he wants to play.
The Falcons reached the 53-man limit on Sunday when they were awarded offensive tackle Bryce Harris off waivers.
Quinn, with the help of general manager Thomas Dimitroff and assistant general manager Scott Pioli, has flipped 35.8 percent (19 of 53 players) from the roster that opened the 2014 season.
The retooling is even deeper in the projected starting units which will feature new offensive and defensive schemes.
The Falcons are projected to have four new starters on offense and six on the defense, which ranked last in the league last season. That’s a 45.4 percent (10 of 22) turnover from the starting lineups that took the field in Game 16 against Carolina, when the Falcons blew a chance to win the NFC South last season.
Both guards (Justin Blalock and Jon Asamoah) have been replaced by Chris Chester and Andy Levitre. Tight end Levine Toilolo has been replaced by Jacob Tamme and running back Jacquizz Rodgers will be replaced by either Devonta Freeman or Tevin Coleman.
On the defensive side, tackle Jonathan Babineaux, defensive end Malliciah Goodman, linebacker Joplo Bartu and safety Kemal Ishmael are all now reserves. Cornerback Robert McClain and safety Dwight Lowery were not re-signed.
The turnover would have been every greater if linebacker Brooks Reed, the team’s top free agent signee, was available. He had groin surgery and is projected to be replaced in the lineup by veteran Kroy Biermann.
Reed was signed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract with $9 million guaranteed. He battled a groin injury all offseason. He played in two exhibition games, but the pain persisted. After getting a second opinion, Reed opted for surgery that could keep him out for up to six weeks.
The key area where most of the personnel shuffling occurred has been on the offensive line. In addition to picking up Harris, the Falcons made a trade for Andy Levitre, a veteran who has started 96 games in the NFL.
The Falcons are set to go with the same tackles — Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder — and same center in Joe Hawley or James Stone. Chris Chester, who was signed after being cut by Washington, and Levitre are projected to start at right and left guard, respectively.
The Falcons also made a change at backup quarterback after Sean Renfree beat out T.J. Yates and Rex Grossman. Renfree completed 72.2 percent of his preseason passes and had no interceptions. Yates completed 60.3 percent of his passes and tossed two interceptions.
The Falcons carried Renfree, a seventh-round pick from Duke in the 2013 draft, as the third quarterback last season. He was inactive for all games and has not taken a snap in a regular-season game.
Last season, the Falcons were one of 16 teams to open the season with three quarterbacks on the roster. This year they used that roster spot at wide receiver, where seven players, including Nick Williams, made the team.
With the roster set, the Falcons turned their attention to adding players to the practice squad.
Linebackers Tyler Starr, linebacker Derek Akunne, defensive end Stansly Maponga and running back Mike Gillislee are headed to the practice squad, according to various reports.
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