The Falcons have been mostly panned for their decisions in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Critics have called both the Chris Lindstrom (pick No. 14 overall) and Kaleb McGary (No. 31 overall) selections reaches and wastes of precious draft capital. Picking any lineman in the first round who isn’t going to produce double-digit sacks a year is never going to be a popular move. However, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that Atlanta’s picks were justified.
Consider how much the right side of the Falcons’ offensive line struggled last season. According to Pro Football Focus, the platoon at right guard and (mostly) Ryan Schraeder at right tackle combined to allow one pressure on every 20 dropbacks.
“Collectively, that right side of the offensive line allowed 68 pressures on 1,356 pass-blocking snaps, i.e., they allowed a pressure roughly every 20 dropbacks.
Now compare that performance with the rest of the offensive line. PFF says the other three positions only allowed pressure once every 28 dropbacks.
“The remaining offensive line positions, manned primarily by Alex Mack, Wes Schweitzer and Jake Matthews, combined to allow just 72 pressures on 2,034 pass-blocking snaps. That is a pressure allowed approximately once every 28 dropbacks.”
40 percent is a dramatic difference in pass protection efficiency.
If Ryan had gotten solid protection across all five positions, the Falcons might well have had a top-five offense, even with the widely-criticized Steve Sarkisian calling the plays. That probably wouldn’t have been enough to save Atlanta from missing the postseason, given all their injuries on defense.
Even still, finding upgrades at those two positions was definitely the best thing that the Falcons could have done this offseason for that side of the ball. The skill positions are all loaded, so if both McGary and Lindstrom work out, Atlanta could be looking at a complete 11/11 solid starters on offense.
