The Falcons are in no hurry to disband the second team in franchise history that reached the Super Bowl.
Instead of releasing players for salary-cap reasons, general manager Thomas Dimitroff stated that the team is most concerned about retaining the veterans that helped them win the NFC South and conference championship.
They plan to get better through continued growth and development. They will look to add some help through modest free-agent signings and the 2017 draft.
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
Ryan’s under contract through the 2018 season and is set to make $15.75 million in 2017 and $19.25 million in 2018. Ryan is coming off his most spectacular season. The key was the re-established front interior of the passing pocket that allowed him to step into his passes. Ryan clearly fit better in the team’s offense and was not afraid to improvise when things broke down. Schaub is a quality veteran backup and should be re-signed. Ryan must now connect with new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Matt Schaub: Stay
He’s an available veteran backup, but could end up in San Francisco with former Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
RUNNING BACKS
Devonta Freeman: Stay
Freeman is set to make $1.838 million in 2017, but would like a contract extension. Freeman rushed 227 carries for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry in the playoffs, but had a key missed block in the Super Bowl.
Tevin Coleman: Stay
He rushed 118 times for 520 and eight touchdowns. He averaged 4.0 yards per carry in the playoffs. Coleman went down with a key ankle injury in the Super Bowl.
Terron Ward: Stay
A quality backup. Played 66 snaps and 35 on special teams
Patrick DiMarco: Stay
He played 324 snaps (31.2 percent) and was used mostly as a lead blocker with no carries. He caught seven passes. Team may try to cheaply upgrade the position as DiMarco appears headed to unrestricted free agency.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Julio Jones: Stay
The dynamic Jones turned in another spectacular season, with 102 catches for 2,062 yards and 10 touchdown catches. He was slowed throughout the season by a turf-toe injury and foot and shoulder ailments. He missed only two games while fighting through the injuries. Jones said he’d wait until March to determine if he would have offseason surgery on his toe.
Mohamed Sanu: Stay
Sanu had a career-high 59 catches for 653 yards and four touchdowns.
Taylor Gabriel: Stay
The Falcons must tender the restricted free agent at the proper compensation level. He had 49 touches for 801 yards (16.3 yards per touch) and seven touchdowns.
Justin Hardy: Stay
Team will look to upgrade this slot. He played 220 snaps on special teams.
Aldrick Robinson: Stay
Speedy receiver who also contributed on special teams.
Eric Weems: Stay
The dependable Weems will have to beat back a challenge from Devin Fuller to retain his spot.
Nick Williams: Go
Unreliable hands.
Devin Fuller: Stay
Promising speedster who spent last season on injured reserve.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jake Matthews: Stay
The team will look for him to shake off a poor Super Bowl performance. They hold out hope that he’ll turn into a dominating left tackle.
Ryan Schraeder: Stay
The former undrafted player from Valdosta State was rewarded with a five-year, $32 million contract extension during the season.
Alex Mack: Stay
Helped to turn the offensive line into a team strength.
Andy Levitre: Stay
Cleaned up his penalties from the previous season and was steady in pass protection.
Chris Chester: Go
He’s steady, but at 34 the end is near.
Ben Garland: Stay
Contributed on defense and should be ready to compete for playing time at right guard.
Wes Schweitzer: Stay
A very bright player who had a season to learn the tricks of the trade.
Tom Compton: Go
The Falcons must upgrade the backup swing tackle spot.
TIGHT ENDS
Austin Hooper: Stay
He’s ready to take over as the No. 1 tight end.
Joshua Perkins: Stay
The athletic pass-catcher played for Sarkisian at Washington.
Jacob Tamme: Go
A very tough decision here, but he’ll likely get a better contract elsewhere.
Levine Toilolo: Stay
Continue to block well and caught the ball well when called upon last season.
D.J. Tialavea: Go
There won’t be room to carry four tight ends.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Adrian Clayborn: Stay
Clayborn (583 snaps) was the team’s second-most effective pass rusher with 4.5 sacks, but his season was cut short after a pectoral injury.
Ra'Shede Hageman: Stay
He came on down the stretch with coach Dan Quinn working with him.
Grady Jarrett: Stay
A rising star in the interior of the defense. Jarrett (630 snaps) held up just fine and turned in a dominating three-sack Super Bowl performance.
Jonathan Babineaux: Go
Tough decision for the 12-year veteran and former second-round pick in 2005. He played 425 snaps last season.
Courtney Upshaw: Stay
Provided quality defensive line depth.
Tyson Jackson: Stay
A quality veteran, who provides a steady influence. May face a pay cut if the team and upgrade the position.
Derrick Shelby: Stay
Struggled while getting use to play rush defensive tackle in the nickel before finishing the season on injured reserve.
Brooks Reed: Stay
He’s stout against the run.
Dwight Freeney: Stay
If the veteran wants to keep playing, the Falcons should welcome him back with open arms.
Chris Mayes: Go
Team clearly is trying to upgrade at defensive tackle.
LINEBACKERS
Vic Beasley: Stay
Beasley emerged as an elite passer as he led the league in sacks with 15.5 sacks. Some of them did come in bunches against backup tackles.
Deion Jones: Stay
Jones, who had three interceptions, and led the team in tackles with 106 tackles.
De'Vondre Campbell: Stay
Upgraded the weakside linebacker spot. He played 547 defensive snaps (49.2 percent). The Falcons look for him to make major strides in his second season in the NFL.
Paul Worrilow: Go
Took his demotion well and should draw some interest as an unrestricted free agent.
Sean Weatherspoon: Go
He wants to return after he recovers from Achilles surgery, but the team may want to upgrade the depth.
Philip Wheeler: Stay
He is a quality backup and contributor.
LaRoy Reynolds: Stay
The speedy linebacker contributed on special teams.
Josh Keyes: Go
Played 14 snaps on special teams.
Tyler Starr: Go
A long-time developmental project. It’s about time to see if he can play.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Desmond Trufant: Stay
Expected to sign a lucrative contract extension this offseason. He was having another stellar campaign before suffering a torn pectoral injury.
Robert Alford: Stay
Smooth out some of the rough edges of his game and stop making so many penalties. He was rewarded with a four-year, $38 million contract extension during the season. He returned a Tom Brady pass 82 yards for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Jalen Collins: Stay
He made strides in his second season, when pressed into service after Trufant’s injury.
Brian Poole: Stay
Played well in the slot and showed the ability to attack the quarterback on blitzes in the playoffs.
Akeem King: Stay
Will get a chance to continue his conversion to cornerback.
Deji Olatoye: Go
Played 83 snaps (7.5 percent) as injuries mounted.
C.J. Goodwin: Stay
The converted wide receiver showed enough instincts for the team to stay with this project.
Blidi Wreh-Wilson: Go
He provided depth down the stretch.
Keanu Neal: Stay
Led the defense with 106 tackles and provided a physical presence in the run game. His coverage of tight ends should improve.
Ricardo Allen: Stay
An exclusive-rights free agent who was much more comfortable at free safety in Year 2 of his conversion from cornerback.
Sharrod Neasman: Stay
He has made steady improvement in the team’s development program.
Kemal Ishmael: Go
He’s a valuable special-teams player and dependable reserve who may get a more lucrative deal on the open market.
Dashon Goldson: Go
Classy veteran who provided depth last season.
SPECIALISTS
Matt Bosher: Stay
Averaged 46.8 yards on 44 punts last season. Also handled the kickoff duties.
Matt Bryant: Stay
He turns 42 in May. Made 34 of 37 field-goal attempts and 56 of 57 extra-point attempts in 2016.
Josh Harris: Stay
He’s a precision snapper.
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