The Atlanta Falcons have some high-end talent on their roster. There’s no question there. There are, though, some holes.

General managers and head coaches always preach the middle class and back end of the roster. That’s where the depth is important. That’s where the Falcons have a lot of possible problems at a lot of positions. The Falcons have 55 players on their roster. Five of those players are specialists – six depending on how one views Cordarrelle Patterson -- which means Atlanta has a lot of spots to fill and not a lot of money to do it with as it straddles the salary cap line. So the draft, where Atlanta has nine selections, is going to be key.

What does this mean for this month’s draft?

Looking at Atlanta’s roster, it could offer some clues as to where the Falcons might focus in their first selection process with general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith.

Quarterback

It all starts here. The Falcons have one quarterback under contract – Matt Ryan – and he’ll turn 36 next month. Which means two things: One, Atlanta needs at least a backup on the roster, and two, it needs to formulate a P.R. (Post-Ryan) plan.

Does that come with the fourth pick? It might. If not, it locks Ryan in as at least the 2021 starter. But at least one more quarterback (and probably two for training camp) need to be on the roster. If one doesn’t happen at No. 4, potential options such as Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond, Florida’s Kyle Trask or Stanford’s Davis Mills might be worth looking at since the goal would be not to have him take the field until 2022 at the earliest.

The later the Falcons take a quarterback, the more likely an inexpensive veteran gets signed post-draft as insurance. But it’d be stunning to see Atlanta go through the draft without taking a signal-caller.

RUNNING BACK

The team has options on the roster – Mike Davis being the lead at the moment – but it doesn’t mean the team will or should ignore the position. Signing Patterson won’t alter much -- and he could end up being used more as a receiver -- although he solves any issues at returner and gives Smith a versatile option. The release of Ito Smith opens up some carries as well for someone -- either on the roster or through the draft.

But if the value is right on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft, Atlanta would be smart to pick up a running back. Particularly if he is more of a bruising back like Smith built around with Derrick Henry in Tennessee. Smith has shown he can get the most out of backs, so it’s a possibility here. Travis Etienne, Najee Harris or Javonte Williams on Day 2 would be potential fits, as would Trey Sermon or Chuba Hubbard on Day 3.

WIDE RECEIVER

This will all depend on Julio Jones and what the team’s plans are for him in the short and long term. The team has its future No. 1 in Calvin Ridley on the roster (as long as his option is picked up or his contract is extended), and the club has depth with Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus and Christian Blake. On a team where there are many gaps of different sizes to fill, receiver is not one of them.

TIGHT END

Of course, if the Falcons take Kyle Pitts at No. 4, it is like drafting a massive hybrid receiver who can play outside as well as inline if necessary. The position group has Hayden Hurst (the club needs to figure out the fifth-year option decision on him) and then a veteran in Lee Smith and some unproven players.

At some point in the draft a tight end could come into play. If it’s Pitts at No. 4, it might offer clues to how the club views both Hurst and Jones in the future because of his potential as a pass-catcher. If they pass on Pitts, tight end could be a position looked at on Day 3 of the draft or undrafted free agency, particularly if they choose to focus on a blocking back.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

Penei Sewell would be intriguing, without a doubt. And it would give the team flexibility with its current group of tackles – including what to do with Matt Gono as a tackle or guard in the future.

Either way, the team has to find a way to replace stalwart Alex Mack – an underrated offseason conversation. Matt Hennessey probably would get the first shot.

This is a spot where a post-draft veteran signing could make sense if Atlanta doesn’t like what it sees on its draft board.

DEFENSIVE LINE/EDGE RUSHER

There are some things to like on the line, particularly Grady Jarrett in the middle and Dante Fowler Jr. as an edge rusher, even though he didn’t produce a bunch of sacks last season. The potential for Fowler is there as he’s still entering his prime.

But drafting an edge rusher – if the Falcons can find one of value – will be important. There isn’t a player worthy at No. 4, but if the Falcons were to trade down in the draft to pick up assets, it could open up possibilities for a player such as Kwity Paye or Jaelan Phillips if they were to move all the down to the middle of the first round. More than likely, Day 2 could be the spot for an edge rusher. Mel Kiper Jr. drafted Miami’s Gregory Rousseau as the pick for the Falcons at No. 35 and he’d be a good get there. Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari could be an option here, too, with some positional flexibility.

LINEBACKER

Deion Jones and Foyesade Oluokun are cornerstone players to build around over the next half-decade, and Mykal Walker flashed enough last season to be a player to be excited about entering 2021.

So there’s a lot to like from the top of the group, and Brandon Copeland is a guy who can play multiple positions and be a special teams player as well.

Teams can always use linebackers, though, so don’t be surprised if Atlanta investigates here. This is where a high-upside Day 3 pick could come into play who also has special teams value.

SECONDARY

There are a bunch of questions here. The team signed Erik Harris, Duron Harmon and Fabian Moreau to one-year deals in free agency. Harris and Harmon probably are short-term starters at safety, and Moreau can provide some depth at corner. Last year’s first-round pick, A.J. Terrell, had moments he could build on after allowing 67% of targets to be completed last year, according to Pro Football Reference. But he’s a player to build around, too.

Would Atlanta add another corner early? Again, not at No. 4, but if the team chooses to trade back with, say, Denver at No. 9 – that could be a sweet spot for Patrick Surtain II, Jaycee Horn or Caleb Farley. All three have No. 1 corner potential – and good size at 6-foot-1 or taller. In Round 2, if he’s still there, Asante Samuel Jr. would be an interesting option for Atlanta (and a great storyline since his dad finished his career with the Falcons less than a decade ago).

The Falcons do need help at safety, though. Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee are in Dallas. Harris offers an option – although at age 31 it is not a long-term option. This is a place where the Falcons almost have to draft a safety – perhaps in the first two days – to build for the future while also giving the player a chance to learn from two smart vets in the present.

Trevon Moehrig is probably not an option unless the Falcons trade way back from No. 4. But Richie Grant from UCF and Jamar Johnson from Indiana are both very intriguing players who could be nice fits. Jevon Holland (Oregon) and Andre Cisco (Syracuse) might be other safeties to watch. Atlanta needs to fix its safety position in the long term and there are capable options here, especially if they are given a year to learn -- something that can happen with a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.