Players to watch in Falcons first preseason game vs. Miami Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Game day is upon the Atlanta Falcons for the first time in 2024.

After a pair of joint practices spent with the Miami Dolphins, the two teams will face off Friday at 7 p.m. ET under the lights of Hard Rock Stadium.

Starters are unlikely to play, and that includes Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, among multiple others. This is normal for the preseason. What that means, though, is the Falcons coaching staff can evaluate their other options with players they perhaps need to see more of or those who have already caught their eye during training camp.

Considering the Falcons currently boast a 90-man roster that will need to be pared down to 53 come Aug. 27, this live evaluation is crucial. There are a lot of decisions that must be made by this month’s end. There are a lot of players whose future in Atlanta hinges on these exhibition moments, but its also the first opportunity Falcons faithful have to see some the most recent batch of draft picks.

So, the Falcons editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden and Terrin Waack each picked a player who they’ll be keeping their eye on Friday night. And funny enough, it’s the latter batch they’ve focused in on.