One of the top storylines entering Falcons training camp when August began was who the final wide receivers would be after their strong top three. A healthy Kerry Meier showed enough positive things early in camp to appear to solidify his position at the team's No. 4 spot. Though Meier has missed some time in the last few weeks with an injury, his spot appears to be safe.
The battle for No. 5 has continued throughout camp with Kevin Cone and Drew Davis at different times seeming to have the edge. Both players have been strong on special teams in addition to their spot duty as pass catchers. Both have also experienced time with the starters on offense.
Entering Thursday night, Falcons head coach Mike Smith said the backend of the wide receiver depth chart was a position he would be watching closely. From at least one player, he had to have liked what he saw as the game continued.
After a tough start with a dropped pass in his hands in the first half, Kevin Cone seized an opportunity on Atlanta's second drive of the third quarter. The second-year receiver caught his first pass of the game on a 15-yard completion from Dominique Davis and he followed that up with catch on a short pass that he turned into a 49-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Cone also broke a tackle after he made the catch.
Cone finished this preseason with five catches for 98 yards with the touchdown against the Jaguars.
One of the late additions to the WR battle was Tim Toone, on the heels of his 39-yard touchdown catch in the preseason's third week. Toone has also been seeing time as a punt returner.
Davis combined some strong special teams play in coverage with some solid practices at the Friday Night Lights event and the combined scrimmage with the Titans during training camp. A practice squad player during last season, Davis had one catch for 11 yards against the Jaguars. In the preseason he had two catches for 14 yards.
Toone did not have a catch against the Jags and ended his exhibition season with three catches for 55 yards and the lone touchdown.
Marcus Jackson and James Rodgers were also in the mix at wide receiver for the Falcons. Jackson had two catches for eight yards against Jacksonville and Rodgers had one for six yards.
