Atlanta Falcons: 3 Rookies that are bound to contribute in 2019

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Kendall Sheffield #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles Andre Baccellia #5 of the Washington Huskies during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Kendall Sheffield #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles Andre Baccellia #5 of the Washington Huskies during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2 (tie). Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary

The Falcons brass knew they need to solidify the offensive line in this year’s NFL Draft, especially after their franchise quarterback, Matt Ryan, took an absolute beating last season. Needless to say, Dimitroff and Quinn are expecting Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary to help that cause from Day 1. They may not say it aloud for competition’s sake, but they wouldn’t have spent two first-round picks on their offensive front without having that expectation.

The jury is still out on whether or not either guy will be starting from Week 1, but OurLads.com sure does think both rookies have the advantage from the gate. In their most-recent depth chart for the Falcons, they have Lindstrom starting at right guard and McGary starting at right tackle.

If that does indeed happen, the Atlanta Falcons offense will have an opportunity to be seriously good by the end of the 2019 season. Think about it, that’s five first round draft picks protecting the 2016 NFL MVP.

Falcons fans surely weren’t happy to see the defensive line go, mostly, unaddressed in the draft. However, no one will be complaining if the Dirty Birds are scoring 30-plus points per game once again in 2019.