The Falcons’ first 53-man roster of the new regime is official, at least for the moment, and it already has the look of a moving target.
Roster cut day brought the usual churn, but Atlanta’s version came with an extra jolt after the Gervon Dexter trade with the Bears earlier in the morning. By the time the 6:00 p.m. deadline hit, the Falcons had trimmed their 90-man group to 53, even if more changes could still follow over the next couple of days as corresponding moves get made.
The biggest takeaway is simple: there are some spots that look settled, and others that feel like placeholders.
At quarterback, the Falcons are carrying four: Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., Jack Strand and Cooper Rush. That number had been expected for a while, especially after Strand’s strong summer made him too useful to cut loose. Still, four passers is one of the clearest signs this roster is not finished.
Running back is even more intriguing. Atlanta kept Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr., but Tyler Goodson was the surprise omission after a solid summer.
That almost certainly points to more movement ahead, because two running backs is thin. A name like Jaydon Blue could be part of the answer, or Goodson or Cash Jones could wind up on the practice squad.
Either way, this room does not feel complete yet.
The receiver group includes Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Zachariah Branch, Olamide Zaccheus and Chris Blair. Tight end is Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner.
Up front, the offensive line group features Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Ryan Neuzil, Chris Lindstrom, Jawaan Taylor, Michael Jerrell, Kyle Hinton, Corey Levin and Ethan Onianwa. Once Wanya Morris was released, the job seemed to swing firmly in Onianwa’s direction.
On the defensive line, the Falcons are carrying Gervon Dexter, Brandon Dorlus, Samson Ebukam, Da'Shawn Hand, Zach Harrison, LaCale London, Maason Smith, Za'Darius Smith and Cameron Thomas. The Dexter trade also shifted the bubble in this room, leaving Azeez Ojulari and Chris Williams on the outside.
Linebacker is set with Divine Deablo, Kendal Daniels, Christian Harris, JD Bertrand and Harold Perkins Jr.
One final note: the Falcons are rostering five safeties, six if Jammie Robinson is included, and that number stands out. It could be trimmed down soon.
In Other News...
Falcons May Not Be Done After Initial 53-Man Roster Decisions
The Falcons are into the next phase of roster building now that the initial 53-man group is set, but the work around the edges does not appear finished. With the NFL's deadline in the books, Atlanta is still scanning the league for possible help, and the list of available options includes a few recent cuts who could fit spots on the active roster or the practice squad.
Evan Neal, Jaydon Blue, Tyrel Dodson and Jack Pyburn are among the players being discussed as possible targets, with each bringing a different type of value depending on what Atlanta wants to address. None of it is guaranteed, of course, but the fact that the Falcons are already being linked to fresh additions suggests the final roster picture could still change before long. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Just Made A Telling Move Up Front Before Cuts
The Falcons kept reshaping their front line ahead of the NFLs 53-man roster deadline, making a move that says plenty about where they still see a need. Atlanta sent cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick to the Bears for defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, a deal that brings in a bigger body at a position the team has been trying to stabilize.
Dexter arrives in the final year of his contract and is expected to step in as the Falcons starting nose tackle, giving them another option in the middle as cutdown day approaches. For a roster still being sorted out, the trade is less about long-term patience and more about shoring up defensive tackle depth right now, which is usually the kind of move teams make when they think the problem is immediate. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Just Squeezed Out A Defender Few Fans Expected To Lose
The Falcons kept reshaping their roster on waiver day, claiming linebacker Yasir Abdullah, edge rusher Jared Ivey and tackle Cameron Williams while opening spots by moving on from defensive tackle Zach Harrison, along with defensive backs Natrone Brooks and Jammie Robinson. It was a busy churn for a team still sorting out the back end of its roster, and the additions hint at Atlantas desire to keep adding depth and competition wherever it can find it.
Harrisons exit stands out because he arrived as a former third-round pick with some real momentum before injury interrupted what had looked like a promising 2025 season. But after Atlanta added Gervon Dexter, the defensive tackle room became crowded enough that a player once seen as a developmental piece was the odd man out, a reminder of how quickly roster math can change in the NFL. [Read more 🡒]