The Atlanta Falcons offense is stacked at nearly every position heading into 2019. One of the few exceptions is at right tackle, which turned into a disaster last season when Ryan Schraeder’s level of play fell off a cliff.
This year, there are two clear candidates to replace him as the team’s long-term starter at the position. Let’s review each and their chances.
The favorite: Ty Sambrailo (6-foot-5, 311 pounds)
When Atlanta signed Sambrailo to a three-year contract extension back in February, coach Dan Quinn told the media that he would be the starter at right tackle. Until we hear different, we can probably assume Sambrailo will be in the lineup Week 1 against the Vikings. Sambrailo is not a star, but he played relatively well last year when he subbed in for Schraeder. He’s certainly the safest option on the roster for now.
The No. 2 contender: Kaleb McGary (6-foot-8, 324 pounds)
Quinn made those comments about Sambrailo starting at right tackle before the team used a first-round draft pick on McGary, though. While the pick itself was a reach, McGary has remarkable size and functional strength, which help cover for his technique issues. McGary might be a bit too raw to start just yet when the season begins, though. We will learn a lot more about how pro-ready he is during the preseason.
The long shots: John Wetzel, Matt Gono, Dieugot Joseph
Realistically, it would come as a shock if anybody but Sambrailo or McGary started at right tackle come September. Injuries are an unfortunate fact of life in the NFL though, and if either one is hurt between now and the beginning of the season, the Falcons may be forced to play one of their depth options.
Wetzel is the biggest (6-foot-7, 328 pounds) and most experienced tackle of the group. He has mostly played left tackle or either guard spot in his career, though. As for Gono, he has shown flashes here and there, but his size is a major question mark. The same can be said for Joseph.
There are also a couple of undrafted free agent tackles (Jaelin Robinson, Lanard Bonner) competing for a roster spot, but they’re both unlikely to start.
