Getty Matt Ryan #2 and Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons have released their first 2020 depth chart.
The Falcons first-round pick in this year’s draft, A.J. Terrell, will start at cornerback. It’s uncertain if second-round pick Marlon Davidson will see the field Sunday due to a knee strain. Also, rookie guard Matt Hennessy will have to work his way back from injury into a starting position.
Here’s the depth chart heading into Sunday:
OFFENSE
QB — Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub
WR — Julio Jones, Christian Blake
WR — Calvin Ridley, Olamide Zaccheaus
WR — Russell Gage, Brandon Powell
TE — Hayden Hurst, Jaeden Graham, Luke Stocker
RB — Todd Gurley, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison
FB — Keith Smith
LT — Jake Matthews, Matt Gono
LG — James Carpenter, Matt Hennessy
C — Alex Mack, Justin McCray
RG — Chris Lindstrom
RT –Kaleb McGary, Timon Parris
DEFENSE
DE — Takk McKinley, Allen Bailey, Charles Harris
DT — Grady Jarrett, Marlon Davidson, Deadrin Senat
DT — Tyeler Davison, John Cominsky
DE — Dante Fowler, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
LB — Deion Jones, LaRoy Reynolds
LB — Foye Oluokun, Mykal Walker, Deone Bucannon
CB — A.J. Terrell, Darqueze Dennard, Blidi Wreh-Wilson
CB — Isaiah Oliver, Kendall Sheffield
S — Damontae Kazee
S — Ricardo Allen, Sharrod Neasman
S — Keanu Neal, Jaylinn Hawkins
SPECIAL TEAMS
K — Younghoe Koo
P — Sterling Hofrichter
LS — Josh Harris
KR –Olamide Zaccheaus
PR –Brandon Powell
Holder — Sterling Hofrichter
KO — Younghoe Koo
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Takk McKinley Gets Another Chance
It’s quite a relief to see McKinley starting on defense. Atlanta Falcons came to a conclusion this offseason that they would not be picking up McKinley’s fifth-year option. Last season, McKinley tried to play through his shoulder injury and finished with 3.5 sacks, before having to step off the field and get surgery. That marked his third shoulder injury.
This decision Atlanta made was probably for the best since it lit a much-needed fire within McKinley upon his return.
“It was a wake-up call,” McKinley addressed the media last month. “It was more motivation, it made me hungry. I’m not saying I wasn’t hungry in the past, but I’ve just got to go prove it.”
Now that McKinley is in the best shape of his life, he’s more than ready to go out there and prove himself—the kind of mindset Atlanta needs this season.
Over his three years in the league, McKinley has played in a total of 45 games with 21 starts. He has also recorded 16.5 sacks, including a high of 7.0 in 2018.
Brian Hill Wins No. 2 Spot At Running Back
Last season after Devonta Freeman’s backup Ito Smith was out due to a neck and concussion injury last season, Hill stepped in.
Hill, 24, rushed 78 times for 323 yards and touchdowns last season. He caught 10 passes for 69 yards and one touchdown during the 2019 season.
He made his big impression against with a 26-9 win over the New Orleans Saints. Freeman suffered a foot injury in the first half of the game and was out for the rest.
The Falcons were looking to improve their run game and attack the Saint’s run defense, who were in the top-five giving up an average of 84.3 yards per game. Atlanta finished with 143 rushing yards and 61 yards were from Hill.
He won the depth chart battle this offseason and it’ll be exciting to see what he can do for the Falcons this season.
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