The Falcons have to protect Matt Ryan better. Atlanta’s offensive line has been mostly bad throughout his 11-year career outside of a good season here or there, averaging 29 sacks allowed per season. Last year alone, they allowed 42. Based on that number, the need to improve their line’s pass protection and specifically their guard play should be a high priority for the front office this offseason.
With Dirk Koetter returning and keeping a lot of the outside zone concepts, look for the Falcons to have more of a hybrid zone-gap type guard than your typical undersized zone blocking guard. The Falcons don’t have a single guard like that on the roster, though. Sure, there’s Wes Schweitzer and Brandon Fusco still under contract, but both could be replaced. Also, Andy Levitre, Zane Beadles and Ben Garland are unrestricted free agents at this point. There’s also 2017 fourth-round pick Sean Harlow.
Schweitzer might be the only one guaranteed of a roster spot and he’s on the final year of his rookie deal. Atlanta basically needs to run a hard reset on the guard position and find two guys to start for the long-term. With that in mind, here’s nine interior prospects they could target in the 2019 NFL draft.
Round 1: OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Dalton Risner has everything Dan Quinn wants in an offensive lineman. He’s able to block in both zone and man schemes. He’s got a nastiness to him and understands how to harness his aggression and athleticism to create holes for rushers.
Risner is also a team leader on and off the field who keeps everyone motivated and would be a great addition to the brotherhood in the locker room. As a pass blocker, he can slide in at center, guard or tackle and be competent, but to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player his best fit is at right guard.
Round 2: OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
On tape, Chris Lindstrom definitely also fits into that prototypical guard mold for a zone-blocking scheme. He doesn’t have Risner’s nasty streak, but he is a good pass blocker who understands how to keep his pass set for a mobile quarterback.
He also can create lanes well with his blocks, sealing off defenders from getting to his running backs. Lindstrom might be a bit small at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, but he makes up for it with his use of leverage on every down. The Falcons could take Lindstrom and plug the four-year starter in at either left or right guard.
Round 3: OL Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
Another four-year starter that should intrigue Atlanta is Michael Deiter from Wisconsin. He has started essentially a full season each at left guard, left tackle and center. Deiter has proven that he could be an asset at any of those positions in the pros. However, the best role for the 6-foot-6, 328-pound Dieter is easily left guard.
His blocking style works very well with the addition of more inside zone runs that Koetter will want to run. And as a former team captain, he should fit the brotherhood model just fine.
Round 4: OG Ben Powers, Oklahoma
Sometimes great college players like Ben Powers don’t make great pro prospects. While Powers was a first team All-American at Oklahoma, he isn’t getting the kind of buzz one would expect from his achievements in college due to a lack of overall athleticism. However, the Falcons should not put too much emphasis on that.
Powers is a mauler on the inside of the line and plays with a ferocity that they haven’t had in a long time. Similar to Harvey Dahl back in 2010, Powers has shown to be the kind of player the Falcons need slotted in at left guard for 2019 and beyond. If he’s there in the middle of the fourth round, he could be an instant starter.
Round 4 (comp): OG Nate Herbig, Stanford
One of the largest players in the draft is the 336-pound Nate Herbig out of Stanford. It’s likely that he wouldn’t play that big in the NFL and would try to get down to around 320-325 pounds. The Falcons could use him right next to Jake Matthews and Alex Mack as a pass blocker. He’s not a great run blocker by any means, but he’s a mountain who bullies people.
As a pass blocker, Herbig has all the tools to be successful, too. He just needs to put it all together. Herbig understands how to position his body on the bottom half very well. However, much like Ricky Bobby, he doesn’t know how to use his hands effectively just yet and that will lead to some bad plays early.
Round 5: OL Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
Atlanta rarely drafts Georgia products because it’s rare when the talent and the pick match up. After making 42 starts over the last three years of his career at center, Lamont Gaillard will look to make an impact at the pro level at either guard or center. Gaillard would be an interesting fit in Atlanta as he’s the right build and fit for the Falcons at either guard spot.
He could be picked in the fifth round to take Ben Garland’s old role as a reserve at guard and center on game days. Adding Gaillard would give Atlanta a true Dan Quinn-type fit on the front line. He brings leadership, toughness and a hunger that the offensive line hasn’t shown since 2016.
Round 5 (comp): OG Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
An early favorite to be drafted higher, Beau Benzschawel turned in a mediocre season for the Badgers. Benzschawe has the size, speed and strength to be successful in the NFL, but his technique leaves a lot to be desired.
Atlanta could still take him as a second or even third pick along the offensive line in the draft with the understanding that he’ll compete with Wes Schweitzer at left guard or whoever is on the roster at right guard.
Round 6: OL Alec Eberle, Florida State
A two-year team captain for the Seminoles, Eberle could be a great depth fit for the Falcons behind Alex Mack at center while also playing in a reserve role at guard. He has a frame like Mack’s and similar quickness. The Falcons could use him early as a depth option and then develop him into something more.
Eberle has a high ceiling. His athleticism is definitely worth drafting, but more than that, his team-oriented approach is alluring. The Falcons would get someone who could call protections should Mack go down without losing a beat.
Round 7: OG Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas
Hjalte Froholdt could be one of the few Danish nationals to ever be drafted by an NFL team. Size-wise, Froholdt is almost prototypical for the NFL at guard at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds. Pro Football Focus has been giving him 80-plus grades for his performance as a blocker against SEC competition. However, his traits don’t suggest that everything is transferable.
Froholdt is a great athlete, but technically leaves a lot to be desired. As a pass blocker, he might be the best one in the draft at guard, as he didn’t allow more than a handful of sacks during his college career. The biggest issues stem from the technique deficiencies, which could be correctable.
