The Falcons started their offseason roster purge early this season.
While the team is leaning toward retaining wide receiver Roddy White, they released veteran safety William Moore and linebacker Justin Durant on Monday.
The team keeps pointing out that White is “under contract” through 2017. But we all know that doesn’t really mean much. Last year at this time, Harry Douglas, Justin Blalock and Sam Baker were “under contract.”
Each later was released.
Here’s a look at every player on the Falcons roster, with beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter’s opinion on whether the player should stay or go.
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Ryan: Stay
While Ryan had a down season with all the untimely turnovers, he’s not going anywhere. At a pre-Super Bowl function this year, Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said, “I still can’t believe he threw that one to me.” He had the big pick-six of Ryan in the Falcons’ loss to the Colts on Nov. 22. Ryan’s under contract through the 2018 season and owed $50.75 million in base salaries. Ryan is set to make $15.75 million in base salary in 2016, $15.75 million in 2017 and $19.25 million in 2018. Retool the system to better fit his talents and keep it moving.
Sean Renfree: Stay
He played in two games and completed 3 of 7 passes. The team doesn’t have the luxury of carrying three quarterbacks. Robert Griffin III is expected to become available, but his relationship with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was too toxic in Washington.
RUNNING BACKS
Devonta Freeman: Stay
He had a breakthrough season and reached the Pro Bowl. He accounted for 1,632 yards (1,056 rushing, 576 receiving) and 14 touchdowns (11 rushing, three receiving).
Tevin Coleman: Stay
He opened the season as the starter, but lost his job to injury. Must do a better job of holding onto the football.
Terron Ward: Stay
In the Falcons’ system the running backs are going to get injured, and he’s a dependable third option.
Patrick DiMarco: Stay
He turned in a fine season and earned a raise. DiMarco went to his first Pro Bowl.
*Collin Mooney: Stay
He had a strong exhibition season in a hotly contested battle with DiMarco for the starting spot.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Julio Jones: Stay
He turned in a spectacular season with 136 catches for 1,877 yards, but scored only eight touchdowns. Stunningly, he was under-used in the red zone. Shanahan needs to figure out how to unleash Jones in the red zone.
Justin Hardy: Stay
Showed some promise as a slot receiver. He looked like a good replacement for Harry Douglas after he learned the playbook. He looked good returning punts in the exhibition season.
Devin Hester: Go
The toe injury and offseason surgery is not good. It might be time for the returner to retire.
Roddy White: Stay
The drop-off in production is worrisome. But unless the Falcons have a viable No. 2 receiver, they should keep the franchise’s all-time leading receiver around. There is no other No. 2 on the current roster. Perhaps the Falcons can revive his career as the Cardinals did with Larry Fitzgerald last season by moving him to the slot.
Eric Weems: Stay
He has to continue to perform on special teams.
Nick Williams: Go
He’s a hard worker, but you can use this spot to upgrade the linebackers and develop a rookie receiver such as Braxton Miller, who the Falcons heavily scouted at the Senior Bowl.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jake Matthews: Stay
He took a big step forward in his second season in the NFL.
Ryan Schraeder: Stay
He solidified himself as the right tackle with Jake Long lurking in the wings.
*James Stone: Go
He’s an intelligent backup and could have value in a reserve role, but the Falcons need to upgrade at the center position.
Jake Long: Go
The former star was valuable insurance last season, but he’s getting up in age and probably wants to get on the field to finish his career.
Andy Levitre: Stay
He’s a walking drive-killer. He led the team with 11 penalties and stalled eight drives. Until, a better option is available, the Falcons are married to him.
Ben Garland: Go
The interior positions must be upgraded.
Mike Person: Stay
It was a tough decision, but he may be able to take over at guard or least be a backup guard. His center days should be over.
Gino Gradkowski: Go
He’s not the answer at center. The Falcons will address this spot in free agency.
Chris Chester: Go
He’s 33 and showed signs of wearing down last season. The interior spots must be upgraded.
Bryce Harris: Stay
He could serve as the swing tackle.
*Adam Replogle: Stay
The Falcons kept him around for a reason and may think they have something in the former defensive lineman.
TIGHT ENDS
Jacob Tamme: Stay
He caught 59 passes last season and was steady. The Falcons have to fix too many other spots to let him go.
Levine Toilolo: Go
In this system, the tight ends have to block and catch. He’s a blocker.
Tony Moeaki: Stay
He’s a tease. When healthy, which is like never, he’s a player.
D.J. Tialavea: Go
The Falcons have to upgrade this position in the outside-zone scheme.
*Beau Gardner: Stay
A rookie who spent all of last season on injured reserve, he showed some promise in training camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Vic Beasley: Stay
He had a so-so rookie season while playing with a torn labrum. He must hold the point of attack better against the run and continue to develop his pass-rush moves.
Adrian Clayborn: Go
A player taken with the 17th pick in the draft or free agent Bruce Irvin of Seattle will take this roster spot.
Kroy Biermann: Go
Because of his mastery of the nuances of the defensive scheme, he likely will return. However, the Falcons need to try to upgrade the position.
Ra'Shede Hageman: Stay
His job was to gobble up blockers. He’s capable, but consistency is the issue.
Grady Jarrett: Stay
Showed some promise last season as a rookie. He’s a keeper.
Jonathan Babineaux: Stay
He’s willing to accept whatever role the team needs and is as steady as they come.
Joey Mbu: Stay
He made the team as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Tyson Jackson: Stay
He doesn’t get pushed around and helped the Falcons have a respectable run defense.
Malliciah Goodman: Go
Good guy, but he just hasn’t shown much while rushing the passer.
*Paul Soliai: Stay
He’s stout against the run.
LINEBACKERS
Justin Durant: Gone
When healthy, he was dynamite. The problem was that he couldn’t stay healthy.
Philip Wheeler: Stay
Came in and added some backbone to the linebacker corps. Ideally, he’s your fourth linebacker.
Paul Worrilow: Stay
Continued to pile up the tackles and make plays. His problems come in coverage.
Nate Stupar: Go
Defensive coordinator Richard Smith likes Stupar, but this spot likely goes to a rookie draft pick or to Bruce Irvin in free agency.
O'Brien Schofield: Stay
He was a valuable contributor last season, but may receive a more lucrative offer elsewhere in free agency.
Brooks Reed: Stay
He didn’t do much last season, but he didn’t get pushed around in the run game.
Tyler Starr: Stay
Coach Dan Quinn’s developmental project. It’s about time to see if he can play.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Robert Alford: Stay
Trying to smooth out the rough edges of his game. He finished second on the team in penalties, with nine. They went for 107 yards and gave the opposition four first downs.
Jalen Collins: Stay
The Falcons are counting on defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel to turn Collins into a good player with a full offseason of work.
Desmond Trufant: Stay
Had a fine season that ended in his first trip to Hawaii.
Phillip Adams: Go
He was a valuable veteran reserve when Collins didn’t come through. If he’s still around, then the corners are not coming along.
Akeem King: Stay
Should some promise late in the season as he made the conversion to cornerback.
Ricardo Allen: Stay
Should be much more comfortable at free safety after his conversion from cornerback.
Robenson Therezie: Stay
After making the team as an undrafted free agent, he played in 13 games and made two starts.
Kemal Ishmael: Stay
He’s a valuable special-teams player and dependable reserve.
Charles Godfrey: Stay
The veteran showed that he can still play down the stretch and he did a nice job when covering tight ends.
William Moore: Gone
He’s already drawing interests from other teams.
*Travis Howard: Stay
He was kept around for a reason.
SPECIALISTS
Shayne Graham: Stay
He came in and was a solid after Matt Bryant was injured.
Matt Bosher: Stay
He had another strong campaign.
Matt Bryant: Go
He turns 41 in May.
Josh Harris: Stay
He’s steady and dependable.
* Finished 2015 season on injured reserve
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