Why Falcons QB Woodside Can Make Roster

The Atlanta Falcons are in their first full season with Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback, but it's important to have depth behind him.

There were 68 quarterbacks who started a game in 2022, an NFL record. Taylor Heinicke, one of those on the long list of starters, is expected to be Ridder's backup, while Logan Woodside is building a case to also be included on the 53-man roster. 

Woodside got his best opportunity to prove that in Atlanta's 19-3 win on Friday against the Miami Dolphins, where he completed 14 of 23 passes for 146 yards.

“I thought he played with pretty good poise," coach Arthur Smith said. "I thought he threw some good footballs tonight. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought the ball placement was pretty good. I thought his decision-making was pretty solid. Logan’s a guy who’s continuing to improve.”

Woodside, 28, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but didn't find his footing until his second season in 2019 with the Tennessee Titans, where Smith was the offensive coordinator. The relationship built in Smith's last two seasons with the Titans helped bridge Woodside coming to the Falcons.

Woodside's familiarity with the system has made him a strong candidate to make the roster.

“I thought we did some good things offensively," Woodside said. "Obviously wish we could’ve put more points on the board. Couple things operationally I wish I could’ve had back, but overall I thought we did a good job of running the football and were able to take advantage of some shots downfield so overall just impressed.”

Woodside may not get a better opportunity to build a case for himself for the rest of the preseason, but the Falcons third-string quarterback is impressing ... and that may be all what he needs to show that he's worth the investment.