Can Falcons WR Jared Bernhardt Really Make Team?

Bernhardt has been balling all camp long.
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The Atlanta Falcons are just a few days away from finalizing their 53-man roster to start the season, and the wide receiver position battle is far from over.

There are 10 receivers currently on the roster after Auden Tate and Geronimo Allison were cut Tuesday, but a couple more cuts are coming in the next couple of days.

Undrafted free agent Jared Bernhardt is one of those fighting for a roster spot, but upon first glance, it didn't seem as if the Division II option quarterback had a chance to make the team as a receiver. But he's been proving people wrong left and right.

In the team's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, Bernhardt made the game-winning catch.

Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder dropped back to pass on 4th-and-9, down three points, with only 90 seconds to go. Facing near instant pressure, Ridder escaped the pocket, rolled right, and threw up a jump ball to Bernhardt.

The 6-1, 195-pound Bernhardt wasn't the most obvious candidate for a 50/50 ball, but he was Ridder's only option. With the game on the line and the ball floating through the air, Bernhardt allowed his instincts to take over, working back to Ridder's pass and hauling in a go-ahead touchdown that ultimately proved to be the difference.

Ridder described Bernhardt's efforts as a "huge play for us," but to truly gain an appreciation for what it meant to the rookie wideout, consider that his experience on the football field didn't stretch beyond option quarterback prior to signing with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent.

"He can play in space. Leverage. Spatial awareness," Smith named when discussing Bernhardt's top traits. "I love his competitiveness, but he has a lot of work to do."

Then in Monday night's game against the New York Jets, he led all Falcons receivers with three catches and 67 yards. In the games, Bernhardt has been the most impactful wideout for the team.

Last season, the Falcons carried five wideouts on the main roster for most of the season, and we'd expect head coach Arthur Smith to carry the same number considering his preference for tight ends.

First-round rookie Drake London, former Las Vegas Raiders wideout Bryan Edwards, veteran Olamide Zacchaeus and free agent signee KhaDarel Hodge likely have four of those five spots lined up, but there's at least one more vacancy in the room.

Bernhardt is a candidate for that final spot alongside veterans Cameron Batson, Damiere Byrd and Frank Darby. Another strong showing in Saturday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars could solidify that spot for Bernhardt.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.