Breaking Down the Falcons Offensive Line After 53-Man Roster Set
As much attention as the defense received during the offseason, the Falcons' chances in 2020 can be summed up as so -- the organization will go as far as the offensive line will take it.
Last year, the Falcons were 26th in yards per carry and 30th in rushing. They were also fifth in sacks allowed. The offensive line must improve in order for the Falcons to return to the postseason.
With a Week 1 showdown looming against the Seattle Seahawks, the Falcons recently released a roster depth chart, which includes nine offensive linemen. Only seven will likely be active on gameday. Let's take a look at what the Falcons have up front on offense.
Here are the offensive linemen on the Week 1 roster:
Jake Matthews, LT
James Carpenter, LG
Alex Mack, C
Chris Lindstrom, RG
Kaleb McGary, RT
Matt Gono, LT
Matt Hennessy, LG
Justin McCray, C
Timon Parris, RT
As planned last year, the Falcons will enter the season with five former first-round picks starting along the offensive line. James Carpenter, who enters his second season with the Falcons after signing with the team as a free agent, won the starting left guard job, which resulted in the release of Jamon Brown.
Joining Carpenter along the line are two veterans and two second-year players. A Pro Bowler from 2018, Matthews has started every game but one for the Falcons at left tackle since the start of 2014. He's made 94 consecutive starts and will once again be responsible for protecting Matt Ryan's blind side.
In the middle of the line, the Falcons possess aging Alex Mack, who turns 35 in November. He's entering his fifth season in Atlanta. Mack made the Pro Bowl with the team from 2016-18, but his play dipped considerably last fall. The Falcons need Mack to find the "fountain of youth" in order for their line to be clicking on all cylinders.
But the right side of the offensive line is where the Falcons can improve the most this season. Chris Lindstrom displayed every bit of why Atlanta selected him No. 14 overall when healthy last year. He missed 11 games last season with a foot injury.
While Kaleb McGary started every game last year at right tackle, he sat out valuable practice time in training camp during his rookie season because of a heart condition. Although this summer hasn't exactly been a normal offseason either, both could make major strides in their play during their second season.
The Falcons really like what Matt Gono brings as a young tackle. As a result, the team released veteran Ty Sambrailo in March. Gono will likely fulfill Sambrailo's role from last season as the Falcons' swing tackle.
Rookie Matt Hennessy is also a promising young depth piece along the line. The Falcons drafted Hennessy during the third round in April. He can play any of the interior offensive line positions, and the plan appears to be to groom him as the next long-term answer for the Falcons at center.
Justin McCray joined the Falcons on a one-year contact in March while Timon Parris came to Atlanta on Sept. 6 after the Falcons claimed him off waivers from Washington.
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