Urtext: Deutsche Rohfassung » 2018 Falcons practice squad: Projecting the

group before the last preseason game For one final time before this last preseason game Stitched Matt Schaub Jersey , I wanted to take a crack at projecting out the practice squad for the Falcons. I’m using only internal candidates, which means this isn’t likely to be 100% accurate, but it’s still a worthwhile exercise. We’ll re-visit after tomorrow night’s game and after the practice squad is actually selected, which should be on Sunday and Monday. I suspect the Falcons will elect to keep six receivers and nine offensive linemen in 2018, which is why this practice squad is lighter on those positions than it has been in years past. Definitely share your projections with us in the comments!QB Kurt BenkertEasy choice. Benkert has been uneven this preseason, but has shown enough to justify keeping him around as the team’s de facto third quarterback. He has the arm, mobility and overall talent to eventually become a capable backup QB in the NFL, and I’m hopeful he’ll develop in time to take over for Matt Schaub in 2019.RB Justin CrawfordThe team simply hasn’t seen enough out of Crawford to this point after he did very well in practices, but the fact that they’re giving him so many opportunities at the expense of Malik Williams speaks volumes. With some special teams value and upside as a runner, Crawford should spend the year marinating on the practice squad, though he could join the team if there are any injuries.WR Reggie Davis What do you need a practice squad receiver to do? Develop is one answer, of course, but play might be another if injury strikes. Given that Davis would be taking over as the fifth or receiver in that case, he’s an excellent fit for a practice squad spot as a fast, shifty receiver who could grab a couple of targets in a game while providing value on special teams. For the second straight year, he should hang around. Dontez Byrd and Devin Gray are possibilities here, but if the Falcons keep six receivers as I suspect Youth Matt Schaub Jersey , they’re luxuries.T Matt GonoI’d love to be surprised and see the Falcons carry Gono on the active roster, but I think Ty Sambrailo will wind up being the swing tackle and Austin Pasztor will end up elsewhere. That leaves Gono to develop on the practice squad and step in if there’s an emergency. He’s genuinely held his own so far in preseason, and I’d love to see him get a better shot at the swing tackle gig in 2019.DE J’Terius Jones Jones has been given a chance to shine the way he did in preseason a year ago and hasn’t really seized on it, though he’s been solid enough. The Falcons could be without the services of both Brooks Reed and Derrick Shelby a year from now, however, and need to have a young defensive end who might actually step in and become part of the rotation. Jones is still the best bet to do so based on his experience in this defense and performance to this point, so he stays.DT Justin ZimmerI think it’ll come down to Garrison Smith or Zimmer for the final roster spot at defensive tackle, and I suspect Smith’s run-stopping acumen and NFL experience will earn him the early nod. That leaves Zimmer, who has flashed as a pass rusher in recent weeks, an opportunity to develop and push for a spot next year when Terrell McClain and perhaps Smith are gone. Given the team’s struggles to find pass rushing help at the back end of their interior defensive line rotation, Zimmer could make a splash down the line.LB Jonathan CelestinI’d like to believe that Celestin will make the roster, and he has as good a chance as anyone on this list. He’s been genuinely impressive as a defender and a special teamer in preseason and deserves the opportunity to stick with this team. With four established linebackers and a hard-hitting special teamer in Kemal Ishmael, though, the Falcons may elect to try to sneak Celestin through to the practice squad with an eye on getting him involved in 2019. Besides Benkert and maybe Gono, he has the clearest path to a role next season.LB Richard Jarvis Jarvis has had his miscues this offseason, but he’s shown promise as a hard-charging linebacker and special teamer, and the Falcons have given him quite a bit of run to see if he’s worth keeping around. I suspect they’ll determine the answer to that is yes and hold him in reserve as potential special teams help down the line.CB Deantre BurtonThe former receiver has continued to get a long Stitched Derrick Shelby Jersey , appreciative look from the Falcons despite not showing a lot besides speed and size. Atlanta loves that combination, however, and may elect to keep Burton around for one more year to see what he can turn into. DB Chris Lammons A very promising young defensive back, Lammons has had shaky stretches of play but has gotten time at safety and cornerback and has looked at least decent in both spots. He’s young and physical and, given that positional versatility, figures to be a solid insurance policy and developmental DB for this practice squad.TE Alex GrayThe Falcons have an international player squad they may as well use. Gray could be the third tight end in 2019 if his two years on the squad prove to be fruitful, but he can’t play in 2018 and is a name you can safely file away for the moment. It’s a somewhat surprising reunion between the team and the second-round pick they released two years ago."UPDATE: I completely blanked on the fact that Hageman is going to be suspended for the first two games of the season, which would seem to work against him as well. The Falcons have surprised us repeatedly this offseason, mostly by adding depth we didn’t expect them to add ahead of the draft and re-adding the likes of Adrian Clayborn. Mostly they’ve been surprises that were well-received across the fanbase, but this one’s inevitably going to get more of a mixed reception.The Falcons have reportedly brought back Ra’Shede Hageman, their former second-round pick who was charged with and eventually pled guilty to domestic violence charges. When he was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Sept. 2, 2017, the Falcons cut him two days later, and he’s been out of the NFL since. A DWI arrest in June seemed to doom his chances of returning anytime soon, but instead he’s back with the team that drafted him less than a year later. We’re not ones to argue against second chances, and the Falcons clearly felt good enough about their workout and discussions with Hageman that signing him didn’t feel like a significant risk. But it is legitimately surprising to see a player who was dogged by questions about his effort level throughout his time in Atlanta and then unceremoniously cut after entering his guilty plea return to the same team, especially when that team has Grady Jarrett Youth Derrick Shelby Jersey , Jack Crawford, Tyeler Davison, Deadrin Senat, and a host of roster hopefuls already hanging around at defensive tackle. Hageman’s return does not guarantee he’ll make the roster, of course, as he’s a 28-year-old DT at a crowded position who hasn’t played in a couple of years. But the Falcons always liked Hageman and his talent and power showed, however sporadically, that he can be a useful part of an NFL rotation at the position. He’ll push hard for a spot this summer, and if it doesn’t work out, the Falcons have done him the solid of giving him a cup of coffee so that other teams may be willing to do the same. Big picture questions about the crowded depth chart at defensive tackle aside, and what it says about this team’s draft plans, the risk for the Falcons is minimal unless Hageman runs into more trouble, and the potential for him to make this team and make a difference is there. Even if it’s a bit surprising for the team to go this route, we’ll hope it ends up being a story with a happy ending.