Falcons Position Battle: Who Starts Opposite Jessie Bates III?

Will the Atlanta Falcons go with Richie Grant or Jaylinn Hawkins at strong safety?

With the first game of the regular season under two weeks away, every team faces tough decisions with their roster and deciding position battles that have lasted the duration of training camp. 

Bleacher Report broke down the most important position battles for each team and picked strong safety for the Atlanta Falcons. 

Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins are each vying to start alongside Jessie Bates III.

"With a new season comes new faces, and Bates' arrival has changed roles for both," Bleacher Report writes. "There's a lone spot to fill, and while teams continue to live in subpackages with an increased number defensive backs becoming key rotational pieces to counter pass-happy offenses, only one will align in Bates' peripheral when Atlanta hosts the Carolina Panthers in Week 1."

Grant started all 17 games for Atlanta last season, while Hawkins started each of the 16 games he played in. 

Grant is coming off the best season of his career with 123 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended. While Hawkins wasn't as much of a presence around the ball, he still tallied a career-best 84 tackles and six passes defended. He also had two interceptions for the second straight season. 

Another factor is the scheme first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen wants to use. 

Who fits best alongside Bates should be the clear option for Nielsen. Regardless of it's Grant or Hawkins, they'll have to play a key role in improving a defense that was 23rd in points allowed per game and struggled to force turnovers. 

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