The Atlanta Falcons released their initial 53-man roster Tuesday, and for The Morning Shift the biggest surprise came out of the tight end room.
It was not surprising to see Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith, and MyCole Pruitt a part of the Falcons tight end room. But seeing 2022 sixth-round pick John Fitzpatrick make the initial 53 over Parker Hesse did serve as the biggest surprise to Tiffany, Mike, and Beau.
Hesse played in all 17 games and even started seven for Atlanta last season. He was a versatile player, seeing snaps at fullback and tight end. But The Morning Shift crew has theories as to why Hesse was not put on the initial 53-man roster yesterday.
“The number one thought I took away from Parker Hesse not being here is that they think Jonnu Smith, who is another guy who Arthur Smith has used in the exact same role he used Parker Hesse,” Morgan said. “You could call Parker Hesse a poor man’s Jonnu Smith as far as the way he used in recent years. I think that they think they’ve upgraded that position, so they can stash Parker Hesse and if something was to happen to Jonnu Smith they’d get him back.”
Mike Johnson was more surprised at the fact that it was Fitzpatrick the Falcons decided to keep on the roster over Hesse.
“To me it was less about Hesse leaving and the fact that you kept John Fitzpatrick," Johnson said. "He’s an in-line blocker, he’s not gonna be in the backfield, he’s a smarter guy, he’s rangy, so I guess he gives you that upside.
"Parker Hesse I feel like can do more things, I think that’s why I had the questions about why you keep one and why you get rid of the other, but nonetheless to your point I think that Jonnu Smith can do some of those things in the backfield, can be a thicker body, and so can MyCole Pruitt, and so maybe you keep John Fitzpatrick as the lets call him the Kyle Pitts lite where you know he’s rangy, he can kind of split out if needed and also play as an in-line blocker.”
Make no mistake about it though it’s a good thing Arthur Smith and the Falcons are having to make these tough decisions as it’s a testament to the depth they have this season, but per the transaction wire the Falcons had no players claimed off waivers and did not claim any players, so it looks like Hesse will indeed be on the Atlanta’s practice squad, and will be available to them team when he’s needed, and he will be a good player to be able to access off their practice squad as well.