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Atlanta Falcons: 3 Players to watch vs. Broncos in Hall of Fame Game

By Cody Williams

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 17: Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers runs the ball past defensive back Lamont Simmons #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the forth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 17: Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers runs the ball past defensive back Lamont Simmons #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the forth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Falcons will bring football back into the fold on Thursday, Aug. 1 as they play the Denver Broncos in the 2019 Hall of Fame Game.

NFL football is back on Thursday night as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game will feature the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Denver Broncos in Canton. Yes, it’s the unofficial start to the NFL preseason, though both the Falcons and Broncos will simply be playing an extra week in the preseason, five games instead of six. Both teams are looking to rebound after missing the playoffs last year.

In the case of the Falcons, this is a year where they are honestly just looking to stay healthy. Injuries ravaged their team last season, particularly on defense. Things have been mostly fine through the start of training camp with Atlanta, though 2019 first-round pick Kaleb McGary had a procedure on his heart that will sideline him for 6-8 weeks.

Given that this is an extra preseason game, though, you can expect the starters for both the Falcons and Broncos to see very little — if any — action in the Hall of Fame Game. However, that offers the opportunity for young players and others at the bottom of the 90-man roster to make a name for themselves and, thus, make a case for their spot on the final 53-man squad.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three players worth keeping an eye on in the 2019 Hall of Fame Game for the Atlanta Falcons.

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3. Kendall Sheffield, CB

Had it not been for a torn pec during the bench press at the NFL Combine, there’s a chance that Kendall Sheffield wouldn’t have fallen to the Falcons in the fourth round. Yet, he did and has now been healthily practicing in training camp, showing flashes of his talent in the early goings-on in Flowery Branch.

There’s little debate that Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver will occupy the top corner spots for Atlanta’s defense in 2019. However, the third spot is a bit more up in the air. Sheffield is a player with the physical tools to earn that job over Blidi Wreh-Wilson. However, the Hall of Fame Game will be his first opportunity to show that he’s techincally sound enough to take that spot and succeed in the NFL.

2. Kurt Benkert, QB

An undrafted free agent in 2018, Kurt Benkert was obviously not a highly touted quarterback prospect entering the NFL. However, he showed promising things for the Falcons last preseason, though he ended up on the practice squad. Still, the chops that he showed in his first taste of the NFL give some optimism about Benkert’s development moving forward.

Currently, longtime veteran Matt Schaub is slated to be the backup to Matt Ryan. The Hall of Fame Game, though, could start a campaign on Benkert’s part to show that he should be that guy. Perhaps Atlanta would like a player with more upside backing up Ryan moving for and, if Benkert can replicate his effort from last season, he could very well prove to be that player.

1. Olamide Zaccheaus, WR/RB

Though diminutive in size, 2019 undrafted free agent Olamide Zaccheaus was a do-it-all weapon for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was a dynamic and versatile receiving weapons throughout his time in Charlottesville, capping off his collegiate career with 93 catches, 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns.

The wide receiver hierarchy in the Falcons offense is consistent at the top with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu. Behind those guys, though, things are up in the air. There are plenty of bodies in camp competing for the remaining roster spots and Zaccheaus is one of them.

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Of the players competing for those spots, though, none of them truly have the unique skillset that Zaccheaus offers with his speed, footwork and quickness. If he can make a big impact in the preseason and showcase his playmaking, the UVA product could well earn himself a roster spot and establish himself as a useful gadget player in Atlanta.

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