Atlanta Falcons: Alex Mack would be a statement signing

Center has been a problem spot for the Atlanta Falcons ever since Todd McClure decided to hang them up, and botched snaps and poor blocking at the heart of the offensive line were common occurrences for Matt Ryan and the offense last season. For the most part, many expected the Falcons to consider an under-the-radar offseason signing at center like Ben Jones of the Houston Texans, but it looks like they have their eyes set on a bigger prize in Alex Mack.

After dealing with years of futility, constant quarterback turnover, and a new offensive philosophies, Alex Mack will finally hit free agency after opting out of his contract this offseason. That contract, by the way, was a deal offered by the Jacksonville Jaguars, which the Cleveland Browns matched, and many have speculated that he could solve the Jags big-time problem at center, especially with Stefen Wisniewski set to hit free agency.

Instead, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reports that the Jaguars are “backing off” of their interest in Mack, and this has led the Atlanta Falcons to swoop in as the possible favorites to sign a player who is looking to establish himself as the NFL’s best center. In fact, many believe he is indeed the best in the business, but, regardless, he’s the type of elite lineman and steady pass protector who could give the Falcons offense a much-needed boost.

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Per B/R, the Falcons “are very much interested” in signing Mack, and when word first got out that he would be opting out of his contract with the Browns, I wouldn’t have quickly guessed Atlanta as a landing spot.

See, it’s not that they didn’t need a center like Mack, it’s just that I wasn’t sure they would be willing to pay up for one of the best free agents on the market. It looks like they are, and I can’t blame them for trying to solve what has been one of their biggest problem spots over the last few seasons in one big move.

Yes, the Falcons have bigger needs on defense, but who’s to say they can’t sign Mack and add a couple of impact players on that side of the ball like Bruce Irvin? The Falcons don’t have pools of cap space, but they do have some money to burn with no important free agents to re-sign.

Beefing up the offense and getting it back to 2012-level juggernaut status could ease the transition for this young, Dan Quinn-rebuilt defense. The best way of upgrading the offense is to add a wide receiver and an offensive lineman, but with a weak WR free agent class on tap, going after a top-notch interior OL like Mack seems like the best policy. The Falcons can always pluck a second-round receiver or a mid-tier wideout in free agency, since either would theoretically be a significant upgrade over an aging- and now-released- Roddy White as the No. 2 receiver across from Julio Jones.

Signing Mack is a big financial commitment, but it would make the statement that the Falcons are serious about giving Ryan real protection. Plus, Mack can only help Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, and Atlanta’s rising rushing attack even more.

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the football against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

At the age of 30, Mack is in the prime of his career, and while overpayment is a possibility here, there isn’t much risk in signing a 30-year-old center who is one of the top five players at his position. Mack works hard at his craft, and the Falcons can finally have a great player at the heart of their line to supplement an offensive tackle bookend that is quietly becoming one of the NFL’s best.

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It won’t take long for Mack to put pen to paper, and it looks like the Falcons should be considered among the preliminary favorites, though they won’t be the only teams involved in the sweepstakes.

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