The Atlanta Falcons, based on their offense, look like the favorites to clinch the NFC South. They have an amazing quarterback duo of Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.; a monstrous running back tandem of Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson, and a lethal receiving corps of Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore, and tight end Kyle Pitts.
But there are certain areas that need to be addressed in camp before they can consider themselves well on the way to that goal like...
![march madness logo](http://staticg.sportskeeda.com/skm/assets/march-madness-logo.png)
5) Backup tight end
![Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers - Source: Getty](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/39fe9-17219539258558-1920.jpg 1920w)
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The Falcons' decision to release Jonnu Smith is a very puzzling one.
Despite playing backup to Kyle Pitts, he somehow had his best performance, tallying a 50 catches for 582 yards - both career-highs - and ranking in the top three tight ends for yards after a catch. That led the Miami Dolphins to take their chances and sign him as a complement to blocker Durham Smythe.
Who are Smith's replacements? Former 49ers Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. The former, who is returning to his birth state, is set to have an expanded blocking role; but neither figures to be the dynamic secondary pass-catcher that fans want from their position.
4) Center
![Atlanta Falcons v New York Giants - Source: Getty](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/33a59-17219552425617-1920.jpg 1920w)
Jake Matthews is among the longest-serving left tackles in NFL history. Chris Lindstrom is one of the best guards in recent memory. Kaleb McGary and Matthew Bergeron have also established themselves as starters.
But there is one position that needs bolstering: center. As of now, only Drew Salman is listed, as Matt Hennessy left to challenge Cam Jurgens for the right to succeed Jason Kelce in Philadelphia.
Fortunately, there are available players at that position, like Connor McGovern and Mason Cole.
3) Defensive end
![Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Atlanta Falcons - Source: Getty](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/60ddc-17219561763164-1920.jpg 1920w)
Grady Jarrett has been the defensive leader of the Falcons ever since they drafted him in the fifth round in 2015. When healthy, he has been monstrous, racking up tackle after tackle and sack after sack.
But last season, he stopped being healthy halfway through, tearing his ACL. That was a major reason why they traded for Kentavius Street. They could use more depth, though.
2) Secondary
![New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons - Source: Getty](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/fe6d5-17219547128179-1920.jpg 1920w)
The Falcons found a gem when they managed to nab Jessie Bates in free agency during the 2023 offseason. He became a first-time Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro team, just the second defensive back in franchise history to do so after cornerback AJ Terrell.
Those two figure to be the faces of the Atlanta secondary, but more work needs to be done.
1) Linebacker
![Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers - Source: Getty](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/28481-17219571225834-1920.jpg 1920w)
Kaden Elliss has had quite the meteoric rise since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Initially a mere rotation player, he rose to become a starter by the time of his final season as a New Orleans Saint, a role that he retained after joining its biggest divisional rivals.
But his exploits are still a far cry from when Pro Bowlers Vic Beasley and Deion Jones terrorized offenses back in 2016 and 2017. So Terry Fontenot could use an impact signing at the position like, say, Shaquille Leonard.
Falcons Nation! Check out the latest Atlanta Falcons Schedule and dive into the latest Falcons Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.