The Atlanta Falcons face major questions before the NFL 53-man roster cut deadline. Falcons Roundtable breaks down roster bubble players, potential trades and the quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. entering the preseason finale.
With only a few weeks to go, the Atlanta Falcons still have plenty of questions to answer regarding their active roster.
As we quickly approach Sunday's NFL cut deadline, there are a few players who are sitting on the bubble for the Falcons.
On this week's Falcons roundtable, the staff discussed some of those roster options, as well as whether they need to keep making moves to improve this team.
Roster cuts are approaching. Who is one player on the bubble that you believe needs to make the 53-man roster?
Michael Brauner: I would love to see Cash Jones make the roster. The running back room is crowded, and he may be squeezed out, but he seems to be doing all the right things and starting to click right now.
Christian Rauh: With all the questions surrounding the quarterback and if a possible trade is on the horizon for Atlanta, will the team decide to keep a third one in the room, such as Cooper Rush or Jack Strand?
Is there any position you believe the Falcons' front office should make a trade for before the 53-man roster is finalized?
Michael Brauner: Another option at right tackle would be great if the price is right, but they are tough to acquire via trade.
Christian Rauh: I'm still not satisfied with the defensive front. With all the suspensions and injuries to the edge room, and the lack of priority to the interior defensive line this offseason, I want more. They should look to improve if the right cuts or trades are available.
Tua will get the start in the preseason finale, and Penix will not play. Is this the veteran quarterback's final chance to win the starting job?
Michael Brauner: From a confidence from the fanbase perspective, this is absolutely Tua's last shot. If he struggles again, folks may riot if he is starting Week 1 with Penix now healthy. Either way, it will be fascinating to see.
Christian Rauh: If Penix is ready Week 1, this might not even be an audition for him as a quarterback in Atlanta. This might be an audition for him to be moved elsewhere. This is certainly an interesting game for Tua. We'll see how it goes.
The team released their final depth chart entering the last preseason game of the year. Any surprises?
Michael Brauner: Labeling Penix/Tua as 'OR' rather than naming one the starter currently was certainly something that raised a lot of eyebrows
Christian Rauh: Yeah, it's definitely labeling the two quarterbacks as "or" instead of "not having a starter" before the final preseason game. There are a lot of moving parts this offseason in the front office, the head coach, and, of course, on the roster. The fact that this is one of the last questions answered is super concerning, without question.
