The Atlanta Falcons have talent on the offensive line but the results from 2019 suggest otherwise. Part of that was poor coaching from Dirk Koetter, but another part of it was injuries to James Carpenter and Chris Lindstrom.
The planned starting lineup of Jake Matthews, Carpenter, Alex Mack, Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary was only together for around 100 snaps out of the 1,100 the team played in 2019.
Continuing with our roster breakdown series that so far includes running back, quarterback, wide receiver/tight end, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back, let’s take a closer look at the Falcons’ offensive line.
2019 Depth Chart and Results
LT Jake Matthews
1,100 snaps played
LG James Carpenter
634 snaps played
C Alex Mack
1,097 snaps played
RG Chris Lindstrom
296 snaps played
RT Kaleb McGary
1,049 snaps played
OG Jamon Brown
556 snaps played at right and left guard
OT Ty Sambrailo
92 snaps played at sixth offensive lineman and right tackle
OL Wes Schweitzer
665 snaps played at left guard and center
OL Matt Gono
39 snaps played at tackle and left guard
OL John Wetzel
18 snaps played at left guard
OL Sean Harlow
1 snap played at left guard
Current 2020 Contracts
LT Jake Matthews
4 years left at $16.623 million average
LG James Carpenter
3 years left at $6.015 million average
C Alex Mack
1 year left at $10.55 million
RG Chris Lindstrom
3 years left at $3.999 million average with a fifth-year option
RT Kaleb McGary
3 years left at $2.780 million average with a fifth-year option
OG Jamon Brown
2 years left at $7.21 million average
OT Ty Sambrailo
2 years left at $5.48 million average
OL Matt Gono
1 year left at $662,500
OL Lukayus McNeil
2 years left at $555,000 average
Pending Free Agents: What Happens?
OL Sean Harlow
The Falcons can retain Sean Harlow for the minimum salary in 2020 and not have any negotiations on either side’s part. They should do that and give him one more shot in training camp to earn a role. If he doesn’t earn a role in what would be his fourth season, the Falcon should cut bait with him after training camp and allow him to try and pursue a roster spot with another team.
OL John Wetzel
John Wetzel was on a bit of a yo-yo between the active roster and free agency for the Falcons during the 2019 season. He’s most likely a career backup, and bringing him back on a minimum deal for training camp isn’t the worst idea. But he hasn’t shown anything really worth keeping if they can find better options.
OL Wes Schweitzer
This is where the tough decisions come in. If he re-signs for around three years at $2 million per season, Wes Schweitzer could be a candidate to eventually replace Alex Mack at center. In his limited action there the past two seasons, he’s shown that he’s than competent and understands how to make proper line calls and adjustments. The issues for Schweitzer come when he’s playing guard and feels out of position there with poor pass protection and above average run blocking.
Possible Cuts
C Alex Mack
The Atlanta Falcons would save $8 million if they cut veteran center and leader Alex Mack. However, to cut a six-time Pro Bowl player in the final year of his deal doesn’t make any sense. One thing that does make sense is to give Mack an extension for three-to-four more years that would lower his cap hit for 2020 and give him options to stay until he wants to retire.
OL Ty Sambrailo
Cutting Ty Sambrailo would allow the Falcons to use Matt Gono as a swing tackle. It would also allow Atlanta to explore additional options in free agency as he would save around $3.72 million in cap space in 2020 and $5.25 million in cap space in 2021. The Falcons could combine that money with money from a Devonta Freeman cut to retain tight end Austin Hooper.
OG James Carpenter
This one isn’t as much of a cut as a potential retirement. If the Falcons decide against using James Carpenter’s option bonus or he decides to retire before the option bonus date, the Falcons can save around $1 million towards the 2020 season, but around $6.45 million for both 2021 and 2022 to help the future accounting and basically absorb the incoming rookie contracts.
Free Agents to Consider
OT Donald Penn
If the Falcons were to sign Penn, it’d have to be on a one-year deal for minimal expense of around $2 million to be the swing tackle. Penn is now 37 years old and would be only expected to contribute for one or two years maximum. Penn has been in the NFL for 12 years at this point and stared nearly 190 games. He’d be a perfect depth left tackle should Jake Matthews go down with an injury and filled in well for Trent Williams in Washington last season.
OT Jared Veldheer
Jared Veldheer is a nine-year veteran but the contract the Falcons would have to sign him to would be something similar to a one-year, $2 million deal that Penn would expect. If he takes that, the Falcons could have a talented swing tackle who’s started effectively at both left and right tackle in the NFL for nearly nine seasons. His play did drop a bit once he got to Denver and Green Bay, but he’s still effective enough to be a cheaper option than Ty Sambrailo, with similar level of play.
LG Quinton Spain
For some reason, the league has been massively underrating Quinton Spain during his entire career. He’s not a front-line top 10 guard in the league, but he’s still an effective guard and can open holes in the run game while creating more pocket time for quarterbacks in the passing game. His 64 starts at left guard throughout his career have shown that he’s a true starting guard. His only real issue has been staying healthy. If he’s 100 percent, Spain is a worthy player of a three-year deal averaging $5 million per year.
OG/C Stefen Wisniewski
For what could be considered a steal, the Falcons should look at Stefen Wisniewski. The talented guard and center has been an effective role player for the last nine seasons. He’s not going to wow anyone with his play, but he’s not going to cost an arm and a leg either. On a one-year, $1.5 million deal, the Falcons should look into Wisniewski for depth at both guard spots and at center. He has experience in both zone and gap schemes and would fit well in Dirk Koetter’s hybrid style blocking schemes.
2020 NFL Draft Fits
OG/C Lloyd Cushenberry, Louisiana State
When looking into long-term options for a leader on the offensive line, plucking the guy from the national champion who was their primary interior threat on the line makes a ton of sense. Lloyd Cushenberry was the leader of one of the best offensive lines in football in 2019 and bringing him to Atlanta to play left guard for a year while Alex Mack trains him to eventually take over at center would be very smart. He’s an excellent all-around blocker who’d be a massive upgrade for the Falcons.
OG/C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
One of the best prospects in the draft at guard or center is Cesar Ruiz. The Falcons would likely have to take him at 47 if he falls there. But he would be worth the pick and then some. Ruiz is an immensely talented interior lineman who has the power and anchor to handle the biggest nose tackles, while also having the quickness to handle the better 3-techniques out there. His questions come from his pass protection being off at times, but for the most part, there are few prospects as polished as Ruiz.
OG/C Matt Hennessy, Temple
As arguably the smartest center prospect in the draft, Matt Hennessy would be more of a future pick than an upgrade in 2020. He’s able to play guard competently, but his best role is as the center in the middle of the line commanding his fellow men to run roughshod over defensive linemen. Hennessy is ideal for a zone scheme as he’s a bit lighter in the pants than the rest of the center prospects, but he could fit into either scheme and reminds me of Todd McClure.
OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
While Prince Tega Wanogho may not be the best offensive tackle in this year’s class, he’s no slouch either. He has a ton of athletic potential and needs to work on his technique. Starting out as a swing offensive tackle and learning from the combination of Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary for a few seasons would give the Falcons someone who could be an affordable solution for the next four seasons should either Matthews or McGary go down.
Out-of-Box Move to Consider
Trading Jamon Brown for a sixth round pick to free up cap space
Where a cut of Jamon Brown would lose money to the tune of around $1.58 million in 2020 cap space, if the Falcons elect to trade him, they could free up around $2.92 million. His guaranteed salary doesn’t have to be paid by Atlanta or absorbed into their cap if he’s traded. This would allow the team to spend nearly $3 million on another player who could be a better depth guard.
