Questions we still have about 2022 Falcons following conclusion of NFL preseason

After the Falcons 28-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Arthur Smith was very candid about the decisions he and general manager Terry Fontenot have to make in the coming days. With a 53-man roster cut down date of August 30 quickly approaching, a multitude of questions need to be answered.

However, in his postgame press conference Smith emphasized that just because the Falcons cut down the roster on Tuesday doesn’t mean the roster is set. Far from it. So, with this is mind, lets dissect five questions we still have as the preseason concludes and the regular season (and it’s decisions) loom.

We’ve done this equation before but we’re going to do it again: Let’s say the Falcons have five or six roster spots open for receivers. Let’s say Drake London, Olamide Zaccheaus, Bryan Edwards and KhaDarel Hodge are locks. You’re looking at having one – maybe two – spots to fill. You realistically have four or five players vying for said spots: Damiere Byrd, Cameron Batson, Frank Darby, Jared Bernhardt and a recent sleeper in KeeSean Johnson, who the Falcons picked up last week.

All five of the names on this list played on Saturday, which should tell you how much the Falcons staff still needs to see of them in order to make a final decision on who they’re carrying. Here’s their stat lines (if you’re into that kind of stuff):

Byrd: One catch on three targets for 17 yards

Batson: Three catches on four targets for 22 yards

Darby: One catch on three targets for 35 yards

Bernhardt: One catch on three targets for 14 yards

Johnson: One catch on one target for 35 yards

Of course, I would suggest not reading too much into these stats. What will separate these individuals won’t be this singular game, but the overall evaluation of the last month. Smith said earlier in the week he’s looking for receivers he can trust, when asked on Saturday if he believe he has that, Smith said: “I do.”