There are several familiar faces in the group.
With the offseason beginning in earnest for the Atlanta Falcons, the annual batch of reserve/future signings are in. They include 11 players familiar from 2024 stints with the team and one new face.
These are essentially deals that kick in when the Falcons roster expands to 90 players, and these inexpensive contracts do not count against the current 53 man roster. These players traditionally compete for roles over the summer, with a handful making the practice squad and occasionally the roster every year.
Here’s the full list.
OL Jovaughn Gwyn
A late pick at center a couple of years ago, Gwyn is a developmental option the Falcons clearly like. With a decision looming on free Drew Dalman, there’s a non-zero chance Gwyn sticks on this roster as a reserve in 2025.
DL Khalid Kareem
In a very brief stint with the team this past year, Kareem looked like an active and disruptive presence. He spent most of the rest of the season on the practice squad, and is an interesting player to have around competing for a back-of-the-roster role on a defense that could look drastically different in 2025.
WR Phillip Dorsett
A veteran and former top pick who never quite lived up to that promise, Dorsett is speedy and will be looking to turn that speed into a role in a receiver corps that figures to be pretty full up if the Falcons return Rondale Moore and Ray-Ray McCloud next year.
DL Junior Aho
A practice squad player who was part of the NFL’s international program, the French defensive lineman will also be competing for a reserve role. There may be one or two spots available depending on how drastically the Falcons change their line next year, given that they have a number of veterans who are either free agents or over 30.
CB Lamar Jackson
He got some run as a special teamer at the end of the season and it’s fun to say “hey, the Falcons got Lamar Jackson!” He’ll look for that deep reserve role next year.
QB Emory Jones
The third quarterback for the moment and perhaps the team’s practice squad option of choice with a good summer. Right now, we have no idea who will back up Michael Penix, but I feel pretty confident saying it won’t be Jones, who joined the team at the end of the season.
RB Elijah Dotson
A productive running back in college with a compact frame, Dotson will have a shot to compete for a practice squad spot again in 2025 against the likes of 2024 draft pick Jase McClellan and 2023 undrafted free agent Carlos Washington.
WR Jesse Matthews
The former Houston Texan spent the year on Atlanta’s practice squad and will be competing for a deep reserve spot with the next man on this list, 2024 pick Casey Washington, Chris Blair, and likely other spring additions.
WR Dylan Drummond
The former Giant and Lion will hope to snag a deep reserve role or practice squad spot, with Matthews and Dorsett looming as possible competitors.
OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
The son of former NFLer Tyrone Wheatley, he’s bounced around the NFL but has an interesting background as a former tight end and defensive lineman who converted to offensive line.
DB Benny Sapp III
He appeared in a couple of games for the Packers in the past and will compete for a reserve role in a defensive back group set to potentially shed several contributors.
OL Joey Fisher
The only new face here, Fisher was with the Steelers over the summer of 2024 but did not make the 53 man roster and did not sign with anyone after that. Atlanta has a history of coaching up and relying on out-of-nowhere additions along their offensive line, so Fisher could be one to watch.