4 Surprise Cup Candidates for the Atlanta Falcons

It’s never fun predicting job losses, but not everyone can make the team.

The first order of business for this new Atlanta Falcons staff is to make sure they have the right players to get going. Making those decisions will be tough, and sometimes fans can be caught off guard by the names they see hitting the waiver list.

Here’s my attempt to mitigate those future blows by looking at which players could be surprise cut candidates for the team in 2024.

Avery Williams, kick and punt returner/offensive back

Many are excited about the player’s return, and rightfully so. The last time we saw Avery Williams, he led the NFL with 16.2 yards per punt return (minimum 15 attempts). However, Williams is coming back from an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for the entire 2023 season.

We all hope he can get back to 100%, but there’s no guarantee the player can return to his former athleticism. The Falcons also haven’t been complacent with the return positions, signing two capable returners in Ray-Ray McCloud and Rondale Moore.

The new kickoff rules have made returners more valuable, and Williams is currently in contention for a role as a kickoff and punt returner, but he’ll have to prove he’s worthy of filling a roster spot for those 5-8 plays per game. With Zac Robinson already talking about making Bijan Robinson the focal point of the offense and Tyler Allgeier firmly holding down the backfield spot, Williams’ opportunities in the backfield will be slim to nonexistent.

Cutting Williams would save the team $1,055,000, an amount that doesn’t make him a financial burden by any means if he has a small role, but it represents a nice chunk of money that could be used elsewhere.

KhaDarel Hodge, receiver/special teams ace

KhaDarel Hodge is another surprise who could make an impact on special teams. The Prairie View A&M alum has been the Falcons’ fourth or fifth receiver for a few years now, but his most significant contribution has been on special teams, where he’s been a stud.

If Hodge wants to secure a roster spot for the third straight year, he’ll need to continue to play at a high level. The receiver room isn’t complete yet, but with some speed (Rondale Moore) and youth (Casey Washington), the deep spots on this team will need more work than in years past.

Atlanta decided to bring back Hodge, a sign that the team still values ​​what he has to offer, but that contract only included a guaranteed signing bonus of $167,500, allowing the team to part ways with the player and gain $985,000 in salary cap room. It’s a small amount by league standards, but the structure shows that the Falcons are in no way financially responsible if they decide it’s time to move on because other players emerge.

Ta’Quon Graham, interior defensive lineman

The defensive line is as crowded as ever, setting it up to be one of the most active groups when it comes time to cut the roster. Ta’Quon Graham is hoping to be one of those who doesn’t hear his name called during that time, but there’s a chance he’ll be on the roster. Graham no longer has the advantage of being a rookie; every moment in practice will count as he looks to integrate into a competitive rotation.

Nearly half of the Falcons’ 2021 draft class is gone, and Graham will need to impress a new defensive staff if he hopes to avoid the fate of his former peers. Graham was useful in 2023 after returning from a medial collateral ligament injury that ended his 2022 season prematurely, but growth is a must for a player who should be more than useful in 2024. Cutting Graham would save $1,055,000, which, as we mentioned earlier, could prove useful down the road for the team.

Lorenzo Carter, outside linebacker

Lorenzo Carter would arguably be the biggest name cut, and that’s because the outside linebacker group is arguably one of the weakest on the roster. However, this is the “surprise cuts” list, and there is at least one narrow, narrow path for that to be a realistic outcome. That outcome relies on the ability of others on the group to step up and exceed expectations, which would be welcomed with open arms by the team and the fans.

That would mean players like Bralen Trice, DeAngelo Malone and Bradlee Anae would have all stepped up during camp and shown the staff that they couldn’t afford to bench them for Carter, a player the Falcons are well-known for. Unlike the other players mentioned on this list, there’s a hefty $3.75 million in savings if the team gets rid of Carter. That’s enough to sign most of the remaining free agents who could make an impact on the team. *cough* Ahkello Witherspoon *cough*.

Don’t worry about the names you see here, as they are all expected to be in the team. However, football is unpredictable; every season, one or two names on the cut list always serve to surprise fans.

Remember, these cuts are mostly a reflection of the Falcons’ massive improvement this offseason, something every fan hopes for. So trust the process and give this staff a fair chance before criticizing the moves that happen throughout training camp.