{"id":46962,"date":"2018-08-08T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-08-08T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=46962"},"modified":"2021-03-20T11:41:32","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T15:41:32","slug":"falcons-preseason-depth-chart-takeaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/08\/falcons-preseason-depth-chart-takeaways\/","title":{"rendered":"Takeaways From the Atlanta Falcons Preseason Depth Chart"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ahead of their preseason matchup against the New York Jets<\/a>, the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> released their depth chart. Here are a few observations at a few positions of interest.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Falcons Preseason Depth Chart Takeaways<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Veteran at Fullback<\/h2>\n

Surprisingly, neither of my first picks for the starting fullback are starting. I was sure Luke McNitt<\/strong> or Daniel Marx<\/a><\/strong> (cut) would get the nod but the veteran Ricky Ortiz<\/a><\/strong> is listed as the starter. Of course, it isn\u2019t final but it\u2019s surprising nonetheless. Both Mcnitt and Ortiz are traditional fullbacks and fit in well with the offense so both are good additions to the offense this year.<\/p>\n

Wes Schweitzer<\/a> Wins the Guard Position<\/h2>\n

I wrote this off-season (after Mini-Camp) about the possibility of Wes Schweitzer<\/strong> beating out Brandon Fusco<\/a><\/strong> for the starting right guard spot. It seems like this has come to fruition as Schweitzer is listed ahead of the off-season signing on the depth chart.<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, Schweitzer had a decent year in 2017 but his mistakes caught everyone\u2019s eyes instead of his good plays, as is typical with offensive linemen. According to Pro Football Focus, Schweitzer ranked 39th as a guard last year. It’s not great but considering there are 64 starting guards in the NFL, he wasn\u2019t as bad as everyone made him out to be. It\u2019s possible Fusco beats him before the season starts but Schweitzer has improved a lot this off-season and looks poised to establish himself as a good guard in the eyes of the fans.<\/p>\n

Justin Hardy<\/a> Replaces Andre Roberts<\/a><\/h2>\n

During the off-season, I thought either Justin Hardy<\/a><\/strong> or Calvin Ridley<\/a><\/strong> would win the starting returner job in the absence of\u00a0Andre Roberts<\/strong> who left for the Jets. Both took reps this training camp but Justin Hardy was the one who won the job. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Ridley eventually wins the job as he gets more acclimated to the speed of the NFL but starting Hardy is a good bet for now.<\/p>\n

There are a couple of surprises concerning the position though. First of all, Calvin Ridley is only listed as the backup for kick returner as Marvin Hall<\/a><\/strong> is the second string punt returner. That\u2019s surprising to me because at the practices I was at, Ridley had some great punt returns.<\/p>\n

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Calvin Ridley out here making people look like they have lead in their shoes… #Falcons<\/a> #RiseUp<\/a> @TheFalcoholic<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7bgnHh8zRP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Carlos Whittaker (@loswhit) August 3, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The second surprise is the absence of Ito Smith<\/a><\/strong>. He has been taking kicks and punts back for Atlanta during camp and has looked good enough to jump Hall on the depth chart.<\/p>\n

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Ito Smith and Justin Hardy are back returning kicks for the #Falcons<\/a> right now. Looks like Marvin Hall<\/a>, Reggie Davis<\/a> and Calvin Ridley may rotate in.<\/p>\n

\u2014 William McFadden (@willmcfadden) August 7, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His good vision, one-cut ability, good speed, and amazing open-field moves would make him a great returner but perhaps he didn\u2019t perform as well as his college tape says he would.\u00a0Overall, I think Dan Quinn<\/strong> made the right choice here but this could be one of the most fluid positions this year as Atlanta has an abundance of players who can play the position.<\/p>\n

Rookie Loses to Veteran at Defensive Tackle<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This isn’t a particularly surprising development but I still think it\u2019s worth noting that Terrell McClain<\/a><\/strong> beat out Deadrin Senat<\/a><\/strong> for the second defensive tackle spot. Grady Jarrett<\/a><\/strong> 2.0 is listed behind McClain for the defensive tackle position and so is overall the third defensive tackle on the team. Jarrett has taken him under his wing but is not yet there in the eyes of Quinn. I also expect this to be a fluid position this year because Senat will develop during the season.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>