The Falcons first depth chart of the 2021 campaign is out. It should be considered unofficial, and for good reason. This might not entirely reflect how the units have assembled in training camp practices, but it can mark a starting point. There's plenty of preseason left to create movement up and down the depth chart, so let's not etch anything in stone just yet.
Let's also note that there isn't a rookie currently on the first team. Odds are great at least one – maybe, you know, a very tall tight end -- will be there by the time the regular season starts.
All that context aside, let's look at a couple of interesting nuggets from the first unofficial depth chart.
The right tackle spot remains in flux, with Willie Beavers currently atop that position's depth chart. Kaleb McGary's in the second slot after returning from the physically unable to perform list on Monday, with rookie Jalen Mayfield behind him.
There are also two tight-end slots in the group. That's a somewhat unusual breakdown for these depth charts, but it makes sense given the position group's strength. Hayden Hurst fronts one tight end spot and Lee Smith sits atop the other.
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and Steven Means are the starting edge rushers at this point, with Dante Fowler behind Means. He returned off the COVID-19 list and just started practice on Monday. Head coach Arthur Smith has made it clear Fowler will have to earn his role.
The secondary looks as it has in practice, with cornerbacks A.J. Terrell and Fabian Moreau outside and Duron Harmon and Erik Harris at safety. Second-round pick is listed third behind Harris and T.J. Green.
Here's the entire Falcons unofficial depth chart, released by the team on Tuesday afternoon:
NOTE: Two position groups have players occupying the same spot on the depth chart, meaning no player is in front of the other in these instances: Running backs Javian Hawkins and Caleb Huntley are on equal footing. So are safeties JR Pace and Dwayne Johnson.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Calvin Ridley | Christian Blake | Chris Rowland | Juwan Green | J'Mon Moore | Antonio Nunn | |
| TE | Hayden Hurst | Kyle Pitts | John Raine | ||||
| LT | Jake Matthews | Jason Spriggs | William Sweet | Kion Smith | |||
| LG | Josh Andrews | Sam Jones | Ryan Neuzil | ||||
| C | Matt Hennessy | Drew Dalman | Joe Sculthorpe | ||||
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | Willie Wright | Bryce Hargrove | ||||
| RT | Willie Beavers | Kaleb McGary | Jalen Mayfield | ||||
| TE | Lee Smith | Parker Hesse | Ryan Becker | ||||
| WR | Russell Gage | Olamide Zaccheaus | Tajae Sharpe | Trevor Davis | Frank Darby | Austin Trammell | |
| RB | Mike Davis | Cordarrelle Patterson | Keith Smith | Qadree Ollison | D'Onta Foreman | Caleb Huntley | Javian Hawkins |
| QB | Matt Ryan | AJ McCarron | Feleipe Franks |
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Grady Jarrett | Marlon Davidson | Ta'Quon Graham | ||
| DL | Tyeler Davison | Chris Slayton | John Atkins | Olive Sagapolu | |
| DL | Jonathan Bullard | John Cominsky | Zac Dawe | ||
| OLB | Jacob Tuioti-Mariner | Brandon Copeland | Shareef Miller | Adetokunbo Ogundeji | |
| LB | Deion Jones | Mykal Walker | Dorian Etheridge | ||
| LB | Foyesade Oluokun | Emmanuel Ellerbee | Erroll Thompson | ||
| OLB | Steven Means | Dante Fowler Jr. | Tuzar Skipper | George Obinna | Kobe Jones |
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Chris Williamson | Kendall Sheffield | Marcus Murphy | |
| S | Erik Harris | T.J. Green | Richie Grant | ||
| S | Duron Harmon | Jaylinn Hawkins | JR Pace | Dwayne Johnson | |
| CB | Fabian Moreau | Isaiah Oliver | Delrick Abrams Jr. | Darren Hall | Avery Williams |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | Cameron Nizialek |
| P | Cameron Nizialek | Dom Maggio |
| LS | Josh Harris | Jake Matthews |
| H | Cameron Nizialek | Dom Maggio |
| PR | Chris Rowland | Avery Williams |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson | Chris Rowland |
