ESPN predicts Vinny Anthony to make an Atlanta Falcons impact from day one

Despite not hearing his name called in any round of the NFL Draft just a handful of months ago, former Wisconsin Badger Vinny Anthony II has still set himself up to make an NFL roster as a rookie. The 6-foot do-it-all receiver has made quite a name for himself in his early days at camp with the Atlanta Falcons, doing all the things that made him somewhat sought after in the first place.

At Wisconsin, Anthony dipped his toes into as many things as one could imagine. He played in the slot and on the boundary as a receiver, took handoffs and returned kicks and punts. However, arguably the role he thrived in most was as a gunner, an underrated aspect of how a young UDFA like Anthony could get on the field.

Because of this versatility, Atlanta hasn't seemed to have an issue finding ways to get him involved. On ESPN's projected depth chart, Anthony is listed as a backup at both receiver and returner. ESPN does not include specialist roles like gunner on its projected depth chart, but if Anthony were to make the team, it's easy to imagine him filling that kind of role.

It is worth noting that this depth chart is by no means the Falcons' official listing, but rather a projection based on the intel ESPN has gathered. In reality, the odds of a UDFA making an impact as a true second-stringer on Day 1 in any role outside of special teams are slim.

Looking ahead

With that said, the buzz Anthony has garnered thus far is real and should hint at how highly Atlanta thinks of him. The fact that he is consistently being put in positions to make plays is encouraging in and of itself and likely hints at him making an impact in his rookie year, even if it is in a smaller role.

Odds are he won't be given many looks as a wideout on Day 1, as the Falcons have already allocated heavier resources into guys to fill that position. With that said, football is a very physical sport and injuries happen — a lot. Meaning that if Anthony can continue to show flashes of who he can be as a wideout in practice, along with taking advantage of the game reps he does get, he could find himself with an expanded role by season's end.

In his early days, Anthony needs to focus on doing the things that got him to where he is in the first place. Things like making an impact on special teams and overall doing whatever he can to get onto the field. He has already expressed on multiple occasions an interest in doing whatever is asked of him, making the vision of who he can be one that isn't very hard to comprehend.

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