Final Falcons 53-man roster projection ahead of cut deadline

The Atlanta Falcons have two days to trim their roster down to 53 players before the NFL deadline. The team got an early start on Sunday by releasing 12 players and placing another on the injured reserve list. The Falcons have a few other players dealing with injuries, including right tackle Kaleb McGary.

Head coach Raheem Morris said he anticipates McGary opening the season on the injured reserve list, leaving a hole at right tackle. With Storm Norton also set to miss time, the team will look to backup Elijah Wilkinson to fill in early in the season.

Wilkinson's new role helped him land a spot in our final Falcons 53-man roster projection. Check out our full roster projection ahead of Tuesday's cut deadline below.

Quarterbacks (3)

• Michael Penix Jr.
• Kirk Cousins
• Easton Stick

We have Stick making the team after a strong preseason. Plus, the uncertainty around Kirk Cousins' future pretty much guarantees that the Falcons will keep three quarterbacks. Atlanta cut fourth-string QB Ben DiNucci on Saturday, so it will be Penix, Cousins and Stick in the quarterback room this season.

Running Backs (3)

• Bijan Robinson
• Tyler Allgeier
• Nate Carter

This was a tough one as well. Carlos Washington Jr. has the experience advantage, but his uncertain health status along with the emergence of undrafted rookie Nate Carter in the preseason changed my mind. Carter, a standout at Michigan State, was the most effective of Atlanta's running backs in three preseason games. Considering the strength of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, the team can afford to take a chance on Carter as RB3.

Wide Receivers (6)

• Drake London
• Darnell Mooney
• Ray-Ray McCloud
• KhaDarel Hodge
• Jamal Agnew
• Chris Blair

This was by far the hardest position to trim down. The competition for the fifth and sixth wide receiver spots has been extremely close, plus the injury to Darnell Mooney adds to the uncertainty. Chris Blair, David Sills, Casey Washington, Dylan Drummond and Nick Nash each made a strong case to make the team. If Mooney were to begin the year on IR, I would shift Casey Washington to his spot. I think Blair's production in the preseason over the last two years was the difference for that final spot, although I considered Nash as well.

Tight Ends (3)

• Kyle Pitts
• Charlie Woerner
• Teagan Quitoriano

Despite an impressive performance by Franks in the preseason finale, we went with veteran Teagan Quitoriano for that third tight end spot. Quitoriano's experience should give him an advantage, although I'm not ruling out the team keeping four tight ends due to the injuries along the offensive line.

Offensive Linemen (8)

• Jake Matthews
• Matthew Bergeron
• Ryan Neuzil
• Chris Lindstrom
• Jovaughn Gwyn
• Kyle Hinton
• Elijah Wilkinson
• Jack Nelson (Rookie)

Defensive Linemen (7)

• David Onyemata
• Ruke Orhorhoro
• Zach Harrison
• Ta'Quon Graham
• Brandon Dorlus
• Kentavius Street
• LaCale London

EDGE (6)

• Arnold Ebiketie
• Jalon Walker (Rookie)
• James Pearce Jr. (Rookie)
• Leonard Floyd
• Bralen Trice
• Khalid Kareem

Inside Linebackers (4)

• Kaden Elliss
• Divine Deablo
• JD Bertrand
• Josh Woods

Cornerbacks (6)

• A.J. Terrell
• Mike Hughes
• Dee Alford
• Clark Phillips III
• Billy Bowman (Rookie)
• Natrone Brooks

Safeties (4)

• Jessie Bates III
• Jordan Fuller
• Xavier Watts (Rookie)
• DeMarcco Hellams

Special Teams (3)

• K: Younghoe Koo
• P: Bradley Pinion
• LS: Liam McCullough

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: 53-man roster projection ahead of cut deadline