Falcons training camp 2026: 5 roster battles to watch on offense
While we twiddle our thumbs, tap our feet impatiently, and sigh deeply during the long wait for training camp, we can still talk about training camp. And we will. Let’s start by talking about some of the true roster battles for the 2026 Falcons, rather than those guys duking it out for a starting job. I’m focused on the spots down the depth chart that could be become vital in a pinch and have plenty of players competing for them, from swing tackle to fifth wide receiver and a few in between. We’ll get into the battles for starting jobs in more detail a little later this summer. Is Jack Strand vs. Trevor Siemian an actual battle? Siemian has gone from occasional starter to third quarterback type over the years, with a fairly successful run in 2021 with the hated Saints giving way to uninspiring stints with the Bears and Jets. He last appeared in an NFL regular season game in 2023, and is entering his age 35 season. For all that, he has 33 career starts, 40 games of experience, and 44 touchdowns against 32 interceptions, and his tenure and experience commanding an NFL offense will likely make him the favorite for third quarterback duties given that Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. both have injury concerns. Strand is probably a practice squad stash, but he does have the live arm and intrigue to make it interesting if he has a strong summer. He was an uber-productive Division II quarterback who has thrown the ball well at camp, and his age and affordability make him a fun developmental option for QB3 and (maybe eventually) QB2 down the line. With a strong enough summer, he could knock Siemian out, given that the Falcons will only owe $1.3 million to the veteran. With Carlos Washington cut, you’re looking at Nate Carter , Tyler Goodson , and rookie Cash Jones for this spot. Carter has the advantage of a year in Atlanta, pretty impressive speed, and some experience on special teams. He had nine carries for 60 yards, highlighted by a 12 yard run, in garbage time in 2025. If the Falcons are looking for long speed and good burst in their third spot, Carter can carve it out, providing he shows well as a pass catcher and blocker over the summer. Goodson is easily the most experienced candidate for this job, and that and his versatility might make him the favorite. He was a decent runner—albeit on the smaller side—in Indianapolis , and supplemented that with quality kick return skills and good enough hands to be used as a weapon out of the backfield at times. Over the past two seasons, he logged heavy usage on Indy’s special teams and has appeared in 33 games, and the ability to do a little bit of everything is an important ability down the depth chart. Jones is a rookie out of Georgia who seems to be more likely to carve out a long-term role at receiver, where the team is putting him through the paces early on. But Jones has experience as a runner from college and is an elusive player who can be very dangerous with the ball in his hands, and serving as a sort of RB3/WR6 or WR7 hybrid would give him additional appeal for Atlanta. His pass catching ability, shiftiness, and potential versatility should at least keep him in this competition. You have Drake London , Jahan Dotson , Zachariah Branch, and Olamide Zaccheaus set to take the top four spots on the depth chart. Beyond that, very little is certain. Familiar faces like Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond , both annual summer standouts, are certainly in the mix. Undrafted free agents Keelan Marion, Vinny Anthony, and Le’Meke Brockington have a shot to impress. Recent UFL signing Antwane “Juice” Wells is a new addition to the group, as well, one who adds physicality and ruggedness to a team that could use more of both, especially with Dotson, Branch, and OZ all running on the smaller side. But with a new coaching staff, it’s hard to name a favorite here. Blair is a player I think deserves more of a real shot to prove himself—mostly because he’s looked really strong in camp and [... truncated ...]