The Atlanta Falcons are entering their month off before training camp relatively optimistic. The team had a successful stint of OTAs and minicamps that saw a lot of players excel and establish themselves as real playmakers for the team. The Falcons are hoping to turn things around this season. Under new head coach Dan Quinn, quarterback Matt Ryan has already predicted the playoffs for the Falcons while rookies like Justin Hardy and Jalen Collins have stated their case to be starters in 2015.
Quinn's first rookie class with the Falcons appears to be filled with plenty of quality. While Vic Beasley has already been assumed as a starter in the coming year, the jury is out on the rest of the class. However, after standing out in both OTAs and minicamp, several rookies could be getting the nod in Week 1.
According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, Tevin Coleman, Hardy and Collins could all end up starting alongside Beasley in 2015. Coleman is currently battling with Devonta Freeman for the starting running back job. Quinn is pushing the idea of competition at the spot. Both players have good blocking and pass-catching abilities. Freeman has the edge simply because of experience, but Coleman will be given every chance to win the job.
Hardy left everyone impressed in his first stint of practices. The wide receiver is replacing Harry Douglas and is expected to start alongside Julio Jones and Roddy White. Ryan liked what he saw out of the rookie and made it clear that Hardy will play a big role for the team in 2015.
"Justin Hardy's done a great job," Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "He's really picked up things. And you can see him kind of every practice he goes out there, he gets a little more comfortable and he becomes a little more confident. That's going to bode well for us. His production for us this season is going to be important."
While the offense has some battles taking place, the secondary is heating up as well. While an injury kept him out of most practices, McClure believes Collins stands a great shot at starting Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford for the cornerback job. Collins has the size and speed the Falcons need to go up against divisional threats like Mike Evans, Kelvin Benjamin and Vincent Jackson.
The question is who starts at the safety spot. Alford was practicing at the free safety position, but Quinn favored his work at cornerback instead. Ricardo Allen improved greatly during OTAs and minicamp which has left many believing he can be starter at the spot alongside William Moore and Charles Godfrey. That could end up forcing the release of someone like Kemal Ishmael if he does not start stepping up in training camp.
