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Atlanta Falcons: Build Offensive Line Via The Draft

By Dusty Haralson

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During the 2012 season, the Atlanta Falcons accomplished many feats that have happened few times in the franchise’s history. They posted a 13-3 regular-season record, earned the number-one seed in the NFC, and made it to the NFC Championship game for only the third time since the inception of the organization in 1966.

Under head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons were on their way to the promised land, but fell short to the San Francisco 49ers after blowing a 17-point second-quarter lead in the conference title game.

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But something wasn’t right about the 2012 team. They were very pass dependent. The offensive line was not very tough and that unit was quickly eroding, placing the Falcons 29th in rushing. Some would blame this on the running back, Michael Turner (3.6 yards per carry) for being out of shape.

That argument is somewhat true, with Turner not being signed by any team since his disappointing 2012 performance. However, the offensive line unit could never really create a push for any of the Falcons’ backs, including the second string running back at the time, Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran for 362 yards that season.

After the 2012 campaign, veteran center Todd McClure retired and 2010 Pro Bowler Tyson Clabo was released. Add in the fact that defensive centerpieces Sean Weatherspoon has had the injury bug the past two seasons, and John Abraham was cut prior to the 2013 season. Plus, Sam Baker, an offensive tackle who was drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, seems like he can never go back-to-back games without getting hurt or injured.

Factor in all of the offensive line’s victims to season-ending injures in 2014: Joe Hawley, Mike Johnson, Peter Konz, and Lamar Holmes. Put that all together,and you get the Atlanta Falcons of 2013 and 2014.

Terrible. In fact, so disappointing, that the city of Atlanta had to turn to their Hawks just to get excited about something.

Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta is a finesse team that depends too much on Ryan and Julio Jones to save the day. Jones’ athleticism and quickness is the only reason Ryan has time to throw the ball. If Julio wasn’t quick to get open, then the other team’s defense gets to Ryan and sacks him fairly quickly.

After the abysmal 2013 season, it was clear what the Falcons needed in the 2014 NFL Draft: An offensive lineman. So with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Atlanta picked up offensive tackle Jake Matthews from Texas A&M. Matthews was a standout, blue-chip performer coming out of college, and he comes from a long line of successful NFL players. He is the son of former offensive guard and 14-time Pro Bowler Bruce Matthews and cousin of Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III, among others.

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    • Matthews, along with center Joe Hawley – a solid, tough lineman who can be chippy – need to be the centerpieces of Atlanta’s offensive line to build around for years to come. This is the kind of toughness and fight that Atlanta’s offensive front needs. All of last year’s walking wounded are returning but that doesn’t mean they should stop drafting offensive linemen.

    In the first round of this year’s draft, the Falcons must address their defense. They are desperate for a pass rusher like Dante Fowler, Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory, etc. But from there on and throughout the rest of the draft, they could retool parts of the offensive line.

    So who do they draft?

    The Falcons will likely take an outside linebacker at pick No. 8. Then they should stockpile up on talented guards and tackles after the first round.

    Oct 18, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard A.J. Cann (50) on the sidelines against the Furman Paladins in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

    If he’s available in the second round, Atlanta needs to pick A.J. Cann, a guard out of South Carolina. He’s not a perfect prospect, but, how many of those are there anyways? Cann is a senior for the Gamecocks and a well-balanced player and showed consistency in Columbus throughout his four years.

    He’s the kind of player the Falcons need at guard. Place Cann at left guard next to Matthews, and Matt Ryan’s backside is protected for the next nine years.

    “…aggressive hand use, wide frame and power to seal off inside run lanes and hold his own in pass protection. Cann isn’t a flawless prospect, but he doesn’t have any glaring flaws that should keep him from starting early in his career…” CBSSports.com on A.J. Cann

    Elsewhere, Josue Matias was a starting guard for Florida State for three years and NFL.com has the skinny on the 6’5″, 309-pound Seminole blocker. If the Falcons draft him, he would also be good for Ryan because of his pass-protection skill set. Matias might be available in the third round for the Falcons to snatch up. In any case, he should be a solid backup just in case someone goes down.

    The Atlanta Falcons need to take the burden off of Ryan and Julio Jones’ shoulders. If you don’t think the offensive line is important, ask Tony Romo, who was very talented, yet had to run for his life every down. Everybody wanted to run Romo out of Dallas until some excellent additions on the offensive front finally showed results on the field in the 2014 season. Now nobody questions Romo as much anymore.

    Ryan and Jones could just do what they do, and not have to carry the team. With a solid offensive line, the Falcons’ offense can do big things. If the line gives lesser receivers time to get open and Ryan time to throw the ball, the offense could be among the best in the league.

    Next: Atlanta Falcons 2015 7-Round Mock Draft

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