The Atlanta Falcons open the 2022 NFL regular season against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Figuring out the Falcons' 53-man roster this year is more difficult than in years past because of the amount of youth the team has during a transition year. General manager Terry Fontenot and his staff did a good job bringing in depth during the offseason.
The team figuring out what to do at receiver behind Drake London, Bryan Edwards and Olamide Zaccheaus, and at running back behind Cordarrelle Patterson, was fascinating to explore. So, too, is the depth at linebacker where a multitude of players have a case for the final one or two spots.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Feleipe Franks
This group has been locked in for a while now. Mariota should begin the season as the team's starter with Ridder, the rookie from Cincinnati, the backup after a strong preseason. How any competition between Mariota and Ridder unfolds during the season will be an ongoing storyline if Atlanta struggles. Franks is here at quarterback because that's what he's listed as, although he's going to be more of a tight end/special teams player and the team's emergency option. But his potential as a tight end is intriguing enough to keep him around.
