Inside the 2017 Atlanta Falcons Roster: A Fan’s Guide for ATL

If you lived in Atlanta in 2017, you remember how fresh the Super Bowl LI run still felt and how much attention was on the 2017 Atlanta Falcons roster. Whether you’re reliving that season, visiting Atlanta and planning a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or just trying to understand that team’s core players, this guide walks through the key names, positions, and how the roster connects to the city’s football culture.

Big Picture: What the 2017 Falcons Looked Like

The 2017 Atlanta Falcons were built around:

• A high-powered offense led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones
• A fast, aggressive defense with young stars like Deion Jones and Keanu Neal
• A mix of veteran leaders and recent draft picks who kept the team competitive in the NFC

For Atlanta fans, this roster marked the transition from the Georgia Dome era to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and it kept the city in the national spotlight.

Key Offensive Players on the 2017 Atlanta Falcons

Quarterbacks

The offense in 2017 still revolved around Matt Ryan, the face of the franchise in Atlanta for more than a decade.

Quarterbacks:

• Matt Ryan (QB1) – The longtime starter, known for consistency and command of the huddle.
• Matt Schaub (backup QB) – Veteran backup with starting experience.
• Kurt Benkert/others (camp/preseason) – Occasionally around in camp, but Ryan and Schaub were the meaningful names for regular-season Falcons fans.

For Atlanta residents, the offense’s identity was basically: “As far as Matt Ryan goes, the Falcons go.”

Running Backs and Fullbacks

The running back duo was a major strength of the 2017 roster.

Running Backs:

• Devonta Freeman – Shifty, explosive starter and fan favorite in Atlanta.
• Tevin Coleman – Versatile runner and receiver who complemented Freeman’s style.
• Terron Ward – Depth back who contributed on special teams and in reserve snaps.

Fullback:

• Derrick Coleman – Used mostly as a lead blocker and special teamer.

At Falcons home games on the Westside, locals saw plenty of Freeman and Coleman lining up in creative sets, which had become a signature of the offense.

Wide Receivers

Atlanta’s wide receiver group in 2017 was one of the most respected in the league.

Wide Receivers:

• Julio Jones – The superstar wideout, central to the Falcons’ passing game and easily one of Atlanta’s biggest sports icons of the era.
• Mohamed Sanu – Reliable possession receiver and third-down specialist.
• Taylor Gabriel – Speedy deep threat and gadget player.
• Justin Hardy – Depth piece and special teams contributor.
• Additional depth often rotated through the bottom of the roster and practice squad.

For fans in neighborhoods across the city—from Buckhead to College Park—Julio jersey sightings were a normal part of daily life.

Tight Ends

Tight ends played a key role in blocking and as secondary receiving options.

Tight Ends:

• Austin Hooper – Young starter who was growing into the role as a red-zone and middle-of-the-field target.
• Levine Toilolo – Tall, primarily blocking tight end with occasional big-play catches.
• Eric Saubert – Developmental tight end with limited offensive snaps early on.

Offensive Line

Atlanta’s offensive line was built to protect Matt Ryan and open lanes for Freeman and Coleman.

Around Atlanta, this group was often credited for keeping the offense functional and giving Ryan enough time to find Julio and Sanu downfield.

Defensive Stars on the 2017 Falcons Roster

The defense in 2017 was young, fast, and built around speed—something that became a point of pride for Atlanta fans.

Defensive Line

The defensive line helped set an attacking tone.

Defensive Ends / Edge Rushers:

• Vic Beasley Jr. – Pass rusher who had broken out earlier and remained a focal point.
• Adrian Clayborn – Rotational end who delivered key sacks, including a famous multi-sack game.
• Takkarist “Takk” McKinley – First-round draft pick in 2017, known for his energy and intensity.
• Brooks Reed – High-motor edge who played both run and pass situations.

Defensive Tackles:

• Grady Jarrett – Local favorite and emerging star on the interior; known for effort and strength.
• Dontari Poe – Big free-agent signing who plugged the middle.
• Courtney Upshaw / Jack Crawford / others – Depth contributors in the rotation.

Fans at bars in Midtown and East Atlanta often pointed to Jarrett’s motor as a defining trait of the defense.

Linebackers

The linebacker group brought the speed and sideline-to-sideline play that defined the defense.

Linebackers:

• Deion Jones (MLB) – Athletic middle linebacker, strong in coverage and pursuit; a key piece of the new defensive identity.
• De’Vondre Campbell – Versatile outside linebacker, often tasked with matching up against tight ends and backs.
• Duke Riley – Rookie in 2017 who rotated in and contributed on special teams.
• Additional depth came from rotational and special teams linebackers.

For those watching at home in Atlanta apartments or at watch parties downtown, Deion Jones’s pick-sixes and big plays became must-see moments.

Secondary: Cornerbacks and Safeties

The secondary mixed physicality, range, and youth.

Cornerbacks:

• Desmond Trufant – Top cornerback, strong in coverage and a cornerstone of the pass defense.
• Robert Alford – Aggressive corner on the opposite side, heavily targeted and often around the ball.
• Brian Poole – Nickel corner who played inside and helped in run support and blitz packages.
• Additional depth rotated in as injuries or matchups dictated.

Safeties:

• Ricardo Allen (FS) – Smart, positionally sound free safety who helped direct the back end.
• Keanu Neal (SS) – Physical strong safety known for big hits and presence in the box.
• Reserve and special-teams safeties helped fill out the unit.

Atlanta fans often described this secondary as fast and physical, fitting the identity the coaching staff wanted.

Special Teams: Kickers, Punters, and Returners

Even special teams had recognizable names in 2017.

Kicker:

• Matt Bryant – Longtime, reliable kicker and a huge favorite among Falcons fans citywide.

Punter:

• Matt Bosher – Strong-legged punter who also handled kickoff duties.

Returners / Special Teams:

• Andre Roberts and others – Handled punt and kick returns during portions of the season.
• Coverage units included wide receivers, defensive backs, and linebackers from the depth chart.

For people attending games in Atlanta, Bryant’s long field goals were often momentum-changers, and his presence added a sense of stability.

How the 2017 Roster Fit into Atlanta’s Football Story

From the Georgia Dome to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The 2017 season was the Falcons’ first year in Mercedes-Benz Stadium at:

• 1 AMB Drive NW
• Atlanta, GA 30313

For locals in Atlanta, this roster symbolized:

• The end of the Georgia Dome era and a move into a new, state-of-the-art home
• Continued expectations after the 2016 NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance
• A style of play (fast offense and defense) that matched the energy of the city

If you visit today, the area around the stadium, the Home Depot Backyard, and nearby neighborhoods like Vine City and Castleberry Hill still carry memories of that transition season.

Where Atlanta Fans Connect with Falcons History Today

If you’re interested in the 2017 Falcons roster and want to engage with the team’s history while in Atlanta, you have a few practical options:

1. Attend a Falcons Home Game

You can still feel the echoes of 2017 on game days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While the roster has changed, many long-standing fans still wear Ryan, Jones, Freeman, and Jarrett jerseys from that era.

• Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Box Office / Ticket Info: Typically available at the stadium ticket windows on event days

2. Visit Team and League-Related Spots Downtown

Fans often combine Falcons interest with other nearby attractions:

• Downtown Atlanta and Centennial Olympic Park area are within walking distance of the stadium.
• The College Football Hall of Fame (nearby) doesn’t focus on the NFL but helps you understand the football culture that feeds into teams like the Falcons.

3. Engage Locally with Falcons Fan Culture

Across Atlanta, especially in:

• Sports bars in Buckhead, Midtown, and East Atlanta Village
• Neighborhoods like West Midtown and Old Fourth Ward

You’ll still find Falcons fans discussing seasons like 2016–2017, debating roster strengths, and comparing past players to current ones.

Quick Reference: Core 2017 Falcons Names to Know

If you just want a fast checklist of the most important 2017 Atlanta Falcons roster members to recognize:

• Offense: Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Austin Hooper, Jake Matthews, Alex Mack
• Defense: Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley Jr., Takk McKinley, Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Brian Poole, Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal
• Special Teams: Matt Bryant, Matt Bosher

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta who wants to understand local football conversations, knowing these names gives you solid footing when Falcons fans start talking about “that 2017 squad.”