FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — You can always tell when we're getting closer to real football. That's when the questions for the Mailbag become more focused. We all start zeroing in on rotation patterns, who could get those preseason game reps and (of course) who's running with the first team.
This week's team scrimmage gave us a better picture of what this roster could ultimately shakeout to be, but we still have much to learn as the preseason gets fully underway.
I appreciated the smart questions asked this week following that scrimmage. I try my best to answer with the most detail and insights below. Let's get to it.
From @tish__ on X/Twitter
Looking fwd to your notes on WR Casey Washington as he continues to fill in for Mooney. If he continues to get reps with 1s today, will he even play on Friday?
At this point? After seeing the significant reps he got with the first-team offense during the scrimmage? I would be very surprised if Washington plays anything beyond one or — maybe — two series.
Despite the fact that he is running in Darnell Mooney's vacated spot with the first team, I do think he could use some live looks, even if it is not with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback. I think I would like to see him get some competitive juices flowing since he didn't get many live game looks at all last season.
Now, I am not saying he has to play an entire quarter. I am talking no more than two series max, but just something to get some game tape on him to further evaluate his game speed and feel for the field when the lights are on.
Washington has done a fine job stepping in for Mooney, and this is a prime opportunity for him to establish himself on this 53-man roster. I think he has done so. This is just another opportunity to really showcase that, because — in theory — his reps will dwindle when Mooney returns. If Washington can put some good work on film through the preseason and joint practices, that only makes it harder not to carve a role out for him.
From @ZachNagel7 on X/Twitter
How close are the battles for nickel corner and the safety spot opposite Jessie Bates? Who seems to be the front runner?
Very close, Zach. I would argue closer than even I originally thought.
I talked about this on our post-scrimmage podcast Wednesday, but I was really intrigued by heavy rotation at both the second safety spot (Jordan Fuller, Xavier Watts, DeMarcco Hellams) and nickel (Dee Alford, Billy Bowman Jr.).
I think both races are ultimately Watts and Bowman's to win — eventually. The reason you have someone like Fuller is as a safety net (no pun intended) if Watts isn't progressing the way you want him to be. If you think he needs more time to develop in-season, you throw Fuller out there knowing you have a viable, veteran presence to hold down the spot until Watts can take the reins. Still, I stand firm in the goal being for Watts to start, it's just a matter of when. And I am not putting it out of the realm of possibility that it happens as early as Week 1. Similar with Bowman, though I do think usurping Alford is a bit more questionable at this exact moment than Watts sliding into a partnership with Bates.
Hellams is kind of the odd man out, and I don't mean that as a bad thing. In my opinion, he is more package- and look-based. You need a big safety look or a run stopping brigade, you put Hellams on the field. So, his goal may be a bit more nuanced. It would not surprise me at all if Hellams is more of a role player in this defense than true starter alongside Bates.
From @NickPenticoff on X/Twitter
How do Bralen Trice and Brandon Dorlus look and what was the rotation like for the defensive line?
Well, for starters, the defensive rotation is as robust as I have seen it. As a thought exercise, take a look at the depth chart. Make note of all the defensive linemen and edge rushers. Throw them into a name generator and churn out different combinations. That's what this rotation is like. Everyone — and I do mean everyone — has taken multiple reps with multiple different individuals. For me to sit here and name every look we got during the scrimmage is impossible. So, just take my word for it: That rotation? It's extensive and 2-4 individuals on that defensive front are churning every two plays.
As for Trice, I think it is easy for him to get lost in the shuffle right now, which is why he is one of my top players to watch in the preseason games. If he can get some reps back on the field and show that he's the same guy he was before the injury last year, then perhaps we will talk about him more. For edge rushers, it's difficult to truly evaluate them when there is no tackling and no one is running at 100%. So, this next phase of the preseason will be important for Trice to establish some playing time in live situations so we can better evaluate his progress. Still, he's getting reps across from James Pearce Jr., Arnold Ebiketie, Jalon Walker and others. He's in the shuffle, it's now about defining himself within in.
As for Dorlus, I have been impressed by the way coaches have utilized his "tweener" type build. There was one moment in particularly in Wednesday's scrimmage in which the Falcons actually went to a four-man front and had Leonard Floyd and Dorlus on the end, with Dorlus acting as that "big end" look. A few plays later, Ebiketie rotated in to create the five-man front and Dorlus slid back into the interior. Like Trice, this is a big moment for Dorlus to establish himself as an asset within the rotation. I know I have been intrigued thus far with him.
Join the Atlanta Falcons on the practice field as the team competes against each other in a scrimmage during the 2025 AT&T Training Camp in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand #40 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLauglin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #4 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLauglin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 and Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLauglin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Leonard Floyd #56 and Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Kyle Hinton #68 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Jashaun Corbin #30 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons legend Roddy White during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick #12 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLauglin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver David Sills V #87 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLauglin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLauglin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Morgan Fox #99 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 and Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jordan Fuller #29 during practice at AT&T Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during 2025 AT&T Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
