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Projecting the Falcons' Week 1 starting lineups: 3 rookie starters?
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- Projecting the Falcons' Week 1 starting lineups: 3 rookie starters?
The Atlanta Falcons will open the 2025 NFL season in 10 days when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This divisional showdown will have no shortage of storylines The Falcons are looking to end a seven-year postseason drought while the Buccaneers are hoping to continue their NFC South dominance.
Both teams are dealing with some notable injuries on offense. Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton could miss Week 1 due to a leg injury and Atlanta has already ruled out starting right tackle Kaleb McGary for the entire season due to a knee injury.
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The Falcons also placed edge Bralen Trice on the injured reserve list Thursday morning, and re-signed safety Jordan Fuller to the 53-man roster. Will the team start Fuller at safety, or go with rookie Xavier Watts in Week 1? Can Billy Bowman beat out Dee Alford ?
Find out in our latest Falcons starting lineup projections on offense, defense and special teams, including Pro Football Focus grades for each player.
Projected Falcons starting lineup: Offense
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QB Michael Penix: 87.9
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RB Bijan Robinson : 92.8
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WR Drake London : 87.8
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WR Darnell Mooney : 74.0
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WR Ray-Ray McCloud: 62.7
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TE Kyle Pitts : 59.6
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LT Jake Matthews: 79.8
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LG Matt Bergeron: 70.9
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C Ryan Neuzil : 58.6
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RG Chris Lindstrom : 93.5
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RT Elijah Wilkinson :60.0
Analysis:The Falcons' starting lineup on offense is pretty much the same as it was at the end of the 2024 NFL season. The only difference is at right tackle. Kaleb McGary will miss the entire season due to a knee injury, and while the team traded for Michael Jerrell , I think Wilkinson will get the start in Week 1. Head coach Raheem Morris said the team also considered moving Matthew Bergeron over to right tackle.
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Projected Falcons starting lineup: Defense
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EDGE James Pearce : 86.9 (college grade)
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DL David Onyemata : 66.2
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DL Ruke Orhorhoro : 56.2
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EDGE Leonard Floyd : 53.5
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ILB Kaden Elliss : 71.1
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ILB Divine Deablo : 56.8
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CB A.J. Terrell: 68.5
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CB Mike Hughes : 71.9
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NB Billy Bowman: 74.9 (college grade)
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S Jessie Bates : 80.2
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S Xavier Watts: 89.7 (college grade)
Analysis:This is where things start to get interesting. The Falcons drafted two first-round edge rushers -- James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker -- but I don't think the team will start the two rookies in Week 1. Walker has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, while Pearce has dominated throughout training camp. While I think the team starts Pearce and Floyd along the edge, I also expect Walker and Arnold Ebiketie to play significant roles. Xavier Watts will get the nod over Jordan Fuller at safety, and Billy Bowman is on track to start over Dee Alford at nickel.
Projected Falcons starting lineup: Special teams
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K Younghoe Koo : 69.0
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P Bradley Pinion : 83.0
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KR/PR Jamal Agnew : N/A
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LS Liam McCullough : 67.3
Analysis:Koo locked up the starting kicker job after a competitive battle with Lenny Krieg in the preseason. Punter Bradley Pinion, who's been solid over the last two seasons, returns as well. Liam McCullough is set to hold down the long snapper position, and we've got Jamal Agnew pegged as the team's all-purpose return man.
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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons starting lineups for NFL Week 1 game vs. Bucs
