Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
Jones is a superstar for the Falcons and has established himself as one of the game’s best after being a first-round pick in 2011.
He has racked up five straight 1,400-yard seasons, and Jones had 113 catches for 1,677 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018.
Atlanta kept six wide receivers on its 53-man roster, meaning Jones is joined by Mohamed Sanu, Calvin Ridley, Justin Hardy, Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Sanu and Ridley each topped 800 receiving yards in 2018 when Ridley had 10 touchdown catches as a rookie.
Defense: The Vikings feature plenty of familiar faces, as 10 of 11 starters return from a unit that finished fourth in yards allowed per game (309.7) and ninth in points allowed per game (21.3) in 2018.
Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen make up the starting defensive line, with plenty of depth behind them. Stephen is new this year but played here from 2014-17.
Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks lead the linebackers group. Barr tested free agency but chose to return to Minnesota this offseason.
Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris are the starting safeties, while Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander provide a strong trio at cornerback. Mike Hughes was recently removed from the PUP list, but hasn’t practiced with the team yet.
Defensive end Stephen Weatherly, linebacker Eric Wilson and safety Jayron Kearse may not be starters, but each could see extended action in certain roles in 2019.
Atlanta finished 25th in points allowed per game (26.4) and 28th in yards allowed per game (384.5) in 2018, but were without multiple starters for the majority of the season.
Safety Damontae Kazee led the Falcons with seven interceptions in 2018, and defensive end Takkarist McKinley had a team-high 7.0 sacks.
Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn will be Atlanta’s defensive coordinator in 2019.