When the Atlanta Falcons entered their final week of preseason, head coach Raheem Morris made clear that the third game against the Dallas Cowboys would be crucial for players on the roster bubble. “This is the make-the-roster game,” Morris said earlier in the week. “This is where guys solidify themselves on the 53-man roster, or that practice squad … trying to finalize who you keep.”
With NFL teams required to trim their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday, several Falcons stood out during Friday’s game in Dallas.
Among those making a strong impression was undrafted free agent receiver Nick Nash. Nash became a frequent target for quarterback Easton Stick, collecting six receptions for 87 yards. While Nash faces tough competition in a deep wide receiver group, his performance has positioned him as a likely candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Defensive back Dee Alford also demonstrated versatility. Though primarily used at nickel cornerback throughout preseason, Alford took snaps at outside cornerback for the first time and performed well against Dallas reserves. The move appeared designed to increase secondary depth options.
Running back Elijah Dotson took advantage of extended playing time with 12 carries for 74 yards, averaging over six yards per carry. Coach Morris noted after the game, “I was really fired up with that,” referencing Dotson’s contribution to Atlanta’s 147 rushing yards as a team.
The running back situation remains unsettled behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. With Carlos Washington Jr. sidelined due to injury, it is unclear whether Dotson or Nathan Carter will claim an open spot on the active roster.
Some positions raised concerns following Friday’s action. Kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 51-yard field goal attempt in the first half, continuing questions about his consistency since returning from injury last season. Despite this, Koo appears likely to remain on the roster but may face increased scrutiny moving forward.
Wide receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew did not play due to an oblique injury and has seen limited practice time recently. Brought in during the offseason as a replacement for Avery Williams, Agnew’s absence has allowed other players—including Ray-Ray McCloud, Dee Alford and Mike Hughes—to demonstrate value as returners. This creates uncertainty about whether Agnew will secure a roster spot given multiple options already available at his position.
Injuries have left Atlanta thin at offensive tackle after Kaleb McGary was carted off Wednesday with what Morris described as an injury expected to sideline him for “significant time.” Storm Norton is also out following ankle surgery and will miss six-to-eight weeks. Elijah Wilkinson stepped into McGary’s role during practice and was held out of Friday’s game as a precaution given depleted depth; Jack Nelson and Brandon Parker played most of Friday’s snaps at tackle.
Morris acknowledged ongoing evaluation at tackle: “Elijah has played a lot of football in the National Football League,” he said when asked about holding Wilkinson out Friday. “He’s played a lot for us. He’s been here with us throughout the course of the last year, throughout the course of this year, and we are fired up to get those guys out there and watch those guys play and compete to see who’s going to be able to go out there vs. Tampa.”
Atlanta must now decide whether to rely on internal options like Wilkinson or seek additional help via trades or waiver claims before finalizing its opening day roster.
