The landscape of the Atlanta Falcons roster has shifted significantly since the final whistle of the 2025 season. As we sit in mid-April, just days away from the 2026 NFL Draft, the unofficial Falcons depth chart offers a fascinating glimpse into a team that is transitioning from a period of heavy investment to one of refinement. Head coach Raheem Morris has often noted that depth charts can be misleading because they don't capture the situational nuances of modern football, yet they remain the most vital tool for understanding where this team stands.

Following an eight-win campaign in 2025 that saw the emergence of high-impact rookies and the stabilization of the quarterback room, the current hierarchy reflects a mix of high-priced veterans and cheap, high-ceiling talent. This analysis breaks down the current state of the 53-man outlook before the next influx of rookie talent arrives.

The Quarterback Room: The Penix Era and the Veteran Shadow

The hierarchy at quarterback is the most settled it has been in years, albeit with a unique dynamic that few other NFL teams possess. Michael Penix Jr. enters this phase as the projected leader of the offense. After seeing significant action during the latter half of the 2025 season, Penix has demonstrated the arm talent and processing speed that justified his high draft pedigree. His position at the top of the Falcons depth chart is less about a lack of competition and more about the natural progression of the franchise.

Behind him, Kirk Cousins remains the ultimate insurance policy. While the veteran’s role has shifted more toward a mentorship and high-end backup capacity, his presence provides a floor for the offense that is rare in the league. The depth is rounded out by Easton Stick, who provides a mobile look for the scout team and a reliable third-string option. The team moved on from developmental projects like Emory Jones late last year, focusing instead on a room that balances youthful upside with veteran stability. For 2026, the expectation is that Penix will take every meaningful snap, but the depth chart reflects a "win-now" safety net.

Running Backs: Bijan’s Volume and the Support Cast

Bijan Robinson remains the focal point of the entire offensive operation. On the Falcons depth chart, he is the undisputed RB1, but the 2025 season proved that his value is maximized when he isn't forced to carry the ball 25 times into the teeth of the defense every week. Robinson’s versatility as a receiver means he often functions as a hybrid weapon, which creates a massive opening for Tyler Allgeier.

Allgeier continues to be the most underrated RB2 in the NFC South. His bruising style complements Robinson’s fluidity perfectly. Behind them, the battle for the RB3 spot is wide open. Nathan Carter, who impressed during the 2025 preseason and saw limited regular-season action, currently holds the edge over Jase McClellan. Carter’s ability to contribute on special teams—a prerequisite for any reserve in a Raheem Morris system—keeps him firmly on the roster bubble. The team may look to add a late-round flyer or an undrafted free agent in the coming weeks, but the Robinson-Allgeier duo remains the engine room of the backfield.

Wide Receivers: Searching for a True Third Option

Drake London and Darnell Mooney are the pillars of the wide receiver corps. London has evolved into a true "X" receiver who can win at all three levels of the field, while Mooney provides the vertical threat that keeps safeties from crowding the box. However, looking down the Falcons depth chart reveals a recurring question mark: who is the definitive WR3?

Ray-Ray McCloud III filled this role admirably last season, particularly in the slot, but the team is clearly looking for more size or specialized speed in that rotation. Casey Washington, entering his third year, is a player the coaching staff remains high on. He has shown flashes of being a reliable possession receiver, yet he hasn't quite locked down a starting role in 11 personnel (three-receiver sets).

Further down the list, players like Dylan Drummond and David Sills V are fighting for roster survival. The Falcons have cycled through various veterans like Phillip Dorsett II and Jamal Agnew, but the current depth suggests a glaring need for a young, dynamic playmaker. It would not be surprising to see the team target a receiver early in the draft to jump over Washington and McCloud on the depth chart before training camp begins.

Tight Ends: The Pitts and Woerner Paradox

Kyle Pitts remains one of the most polarizing figures on the roster, though his usage in 2025 began to align more with his physical gifts. He is listed as a tight end, but in reality, he is a jumbo wideout who dictates defensive personnel. Opposite him, Charlie Woerner is the "true" tight end of the group. Woerner’s value in the blocking game is what allows the offense to remain multiple; when he and Pitts are on the field together, defenses are forced to decide whether to play base or nickel, usually to their own detriment.

Teagan Quitoriano and Feleipe Franks provide the depth here. Quitoriano is a direct backup to Woerner’s Y-tight end role, while Franks remains a developmental project who offers unique athleticism for the scout team. This is one of the few positions where the depth chart feels concrete heading into the summer.

Offensive Line: Continuity is the Greatest Asset

The Falcons have invested heavily in their offensive line, and it remains the team's greatest strength. The starting five is almost certainly locked in:

  • Left Tackle: Jake Matthews
  • Left Guard: Matthew Bergeron
  • Center: Ryan Neuzil
  • Right Guard: Chris Lindstrom
  • Right Tackle: Kaleb McGary

Jake Matthews continues to defy age, providing elite blindside protection. Matthew Bergeron made significant strides in his sophomore season (2025) and is now a foundational piece. The most interesting spot is at center, where Ryan Neuzil has seemingly solidified his role after the team moved on from previous starters. Lindstrom is a perennial All-Pro candidate at right guard, and McGary, despite some struggles in pure pass protection, remains a dominant run blocker.

Depth on the line is where things get interesting. Jack Nelson, a 2025 draft pick, is the primary swing tackle. He saw meaningful snaps last year and is being groomed as the eventual successor to Matthews or McGary. Jovaughn Gwyn and Kyle Hinton provide the interior depth. The Falcons prefer offensive linemen who can play multiple spots, and Hinton’s ability to slide between guard and center makes him a roster lock. While the starters are set, the Falcons depth chart shows a need for one more developmental interior piece to protect against mid-season injuries.

Defensive Line: The Youth Movement Takes Hold

For years, the Falcons' defensive front was characterized by aging veterans and "stop-gap" players. That changed in 2025. David Onyemata remains the veteran anchor in the middle, but he is now surrounded by a much younger, more explosive supporting cast. Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus have moved up the depth chart, transitioning from developmental rookies to primary rotational players.

Orhorhoro’s ability to play the 3-tech or slide out to a 5-tech gives defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake immense flexibility. Behind them, Zach Harrison and LaCale London provide the size needed for run-stuffing situations. Morgan Fox remains the designated interior pass-rush specialist, often coming in on third downs to create mismatches against slower guards. The depth chart here is deep, but it lacks a true, dominant "nose tackle" if they ever want to play a pure 3-4 front, though their current hybrid 3-4/4-3 system seems to suit the personnel.

Edge Rushers: The Pearce Jr. and Floyd Connection

Perhaps no position has seen a greater talent infusion than the edge. James Pearce Jr., the marquee acquisition from the 2025 draft, is now the focal point of the pass rush. His rookie season showed he has the bend and first-step explosiveness to be a double-digit sack artist. Opposite him, the veteran Leonard Floyd provides the savvy and veteran leadership that Pearce needs to grow.

This is where the Falcons depth chart gets crowded. Arnold Ebiketie, once a projected starter, now finds himself in a high-leverage rotational role. This isn't a demotion so much as a reflection of the team's commitment to keeping rushers fresh. Bralen Trice and DeAngelo Malone round out the group. Trice, in particular, has shown a high motor in run defense, making him a valuable asset on early downs. The "Edge" position in Atlanta has finally evolved into a strength, allowing the team to generate pressure without always relying on blitzes from the secondary.

Linebackers: Speed in the Middle

Kaden Elliss is the heart of the linebacker group. He is the primary communicator and a versatile blitzer. Alongside him, the Falcons have transitioned to a very fast duo with the emergence of Jalon Walker. Walker, another 2025 high-pick, brings the sideline-to-sideline speed that the Falcons defense was missing for the better part of a decade.

Divine Deablo provides the veteran depth here, often rotating in for specific coverage assignments against athletic tight ends. JD Bertrand is the primary backup for Elliss at the "Mike" spot, proving himself to be a reliable tackler on special teams and in relief duty. The Falcons depth chart at linebacker is lean but highly athletic, reflecting the modern NFL's move away from bulky, downhill thumpers toward players who can drop into zone coverage effectively.

Secondary: Bates, Watts, and the Cornerback Conundrum

The safety tandem of Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts might be the best in the NFL. Bates is the "chess piece" who can play single-high or drop into the box, while Watts—after a stellar 2025 rookie season—has claimed the starting free safety spot. This allows the Falcons to play a variety of split-safety looks that disguise their intentions. Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams provide exceptional depth, with Hellams often playing a "big nickel" role in certain packages.

At cornerback, A.J. Terrell Jr. remains a shutdown corner on the left side. The battle for the CB2 spot, however, is the most contested area on the current Falcons depth chart. Mike Hughes currently holds the edge, but Clark Phillips III and the veteran Mike Ford Jr. are constantly pushing for snaps. Phillips III has shown he can play both outside and in the slot, which adds to his value.

In the nickel spot, Dee Alford is the incumbent. He has been a consistent performer, but the team is high on Billy Bowman Jr., who can play both safety and nickel. The secondary is deep in terms of safeties but could use one more high-end boundary corner to alleviate the pressure on Terrell. If the Falcons look at the draft for defensive help, a corner to compete with Hughes is a high probability.

Special Teams: Seeking Stability

The kicking situation has been a bit of a rollercoaster. While Younghoe Koo is a fan favorite, his 2025 season had some uncharacteristic misses that led to the team briefly looking at Parker Romo and Lenny Krieg. As of now, the Falcons depth chart lists the kicking spot as a competition, though a healthy and focused Koo is still the favorite to lead the unit.

Bradley Pinion remains steady at punter, and Liam McCullough is one of the more reliable long snappers in the league. The return game is where the team is currently looking for a spark. Ray-Ray McCloud III and potentially a healthy Jamal Agnew are the primary names, but with the new kickoff rules becoming more established, the Falcons may look for a bigger-bodied returner who can break tackles in the open field.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Draft Impact

When we look at the Falcons depth chart in its current pre-draft state, it’s clear that the roster is in a "refinement" phase. There are no longer massive, gaping holes at the premium positions of Quarterback, Edge, or Left Tackle. Instead, the needs are more nuanced: a WR3 with size, an interior offensive lineman for depth, and a legitimate CB2 to play opposite A.J. Terrell.

Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot have built a roster that allows them to take the "Best Player Available" in the upcoming draft. This flexibility is a luxury that few Falcons teams have had in recent history. As players begin voluntary workouts and the draft approaches, this depth chart will continue to evolve, but the foundation laid in 2025 has created a competitive, balanced team ready for a serious run in the 2026 season.

In the modern NFL, the 53-man roster is never truly finished. Between the draft, post-June 1 cuts, and training camp injuries, the names on the Falcons depth chart today will certainly look different by September. However, the core of Penix, Robinson, London, and Bates provides a spine that Falcon fans should be incredibly optimistic about as the new league year truly gets underway.