Falcons Pre-Draft Depth Chart: Desmond Ridder Leads Offensive Starters

The Atlanta Falcons are set for the 2023 NFL Draft, the third of coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot's tenure.

An eventful offseason marked by dishing out several big contracts has the Falcons eyeing a postseason berth - with new signee Calais Campbell going as far as saying 13 wins is a possibility.

But what will Atlanta's depth chart look like?

Here's how things stand on the offensive side of the ball in the lead-up to the draft. Of note, this includes every offensive player currently under contract as camp battles have yet to begin ...

Quarterback

Starter: Desmond Ridder

Reserves: Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside

The Falcons have committed to Ridder as their starter in 2023, and Heinicke accepted the backup role when signing with Atlanta earlier this offseason.

Running Back

Starter: Tyler Allgeier

Reserves: Cordarrelle Patterson, Caleb Huntley, Avery Williams, B.J. Baylor

Atlanta's been linked to Texas ballcarrier Bijan Robinson at No. 8 overall and could certainly go that way. The consensus All-American would join Allgeier, who set the franchise rookie rushing record with 1,035 yards last year, and Patterson, who's still capable of hitting explosive plays.

We're told that Huntley is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn Achilles, and Smith said he believes the 2021 undrafted free agent could be back for training camp.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Drake London, Mack Hollins, Scotty Miller

Reserves: KhaDarel Hodge, Jared Bernhardt, Frank Darby, Josh Ali, Ra'Shaun Henry

The Falcons lost second-leading receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency but brought in a pair of veterans in Hollins and Miller.

There's still a need to add a long-term compliment to London, and Atlanta's done considerable work on wideouts in the Day 2 range.

Tight End

Starters: Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith

Reserves: Parker Hesse, Feleipe Franks, John FitzPatrick, John Raine, Tucker Fisk

Pitts will be searching for a bounce-back 2023 after a knee injury cut his second season short. He'll be paired with Jonnu Smith, acquired by the Falcons from the New England Patriots in March.

Atlanta re-signed Hesse earlier this offseason, fresh off a quietly successful 2022 in which he established himself as a reliable blocking presence.

Left Tackle

Starter: Jake Matthews

Reserves: Germain Ifedi, Ethan Greenidge

Matthews will enter the season with 144 consecutive starts, tying him with former center Todd McClure for second-most in franchise history and trailing only quarterback Matt Ryan (147).

Atlanta re-signed Ifedi and brought in Greenidge from the New Orleans Saints during the spring.

Left Guard

Starter: Matt Hennessy

Reserves: Jalen Mayfield, Kyle Hinton

The Falcons are likely to keep adding here. They've dabbled in free agent Dalton Risner's market and could certainly address the position via the draft.

If not, Hennessy and Mayfield will battle it out for the starting spot after last year's preferred option, Elijah Wilkinson, signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.

Center

Starter: Drew Dalman

Reserves: Ryan Neuzil/Jonotthan Harrison

Atlanta's intent on giving Dalman the reigns for the second consecutive season, banking on growth from the 2021 fourth-round pick after showing positive signs down the stretch in 2022, his first year as a starter.

Right Guard

Starter: Chris Lindstrom

Reserve: Justin Shaffer

Lindstrom is now the highest-paid offensive guard in NFL history as the Falcons gave him a five-year, $105 million extension just before the start of free agency.

Behind him is Shaffer, a 2022 sixth-round pick who can also play left guard and spent much of his rookie season on the practice squad's injury reserve.

Right Tackle

Starter: Kaleb McGary

Reserve: Joshua Miles, Tyler Vrabel

McGary is coming off the best year of his professional career and received a three-year, $34.5 million contract on the open market to remain in Atlanta.

You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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