#1: Alex Mack
The praise of center Alex Mack since he signed with the Atlanta Falcons has been universal. Teammates and coaches laud his intelligence to no ends. For a team that features Matt Ryan and Julio Jones to land a Pro Bowl center in his prime is borderline cheating. So far the 2016 season has reflected that. The Falcons offense is firing on on all cylinders. They rank first in points scored per game (38), first passing (354 yards) and sixth in rushing (124.5 yards).
:( RT @BaldyNFL: The early returns on #AlexMack are as good an investment as any free agent in football pic.twitter.com/vpqmNsh9uH
— BP (@BPayton216) October 3, 2016
Of course a lot of that has to do with the talent the Falcons have assembled on their roster over the past couple off-seasons. However, the blocking has been outstanding up front, especially along the interior. Its allowed Ryan to step up in the pocket and deliver strikes to Jones and other receivers. Its also opened several lanes for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman on the ground. Much of that has become possible thanks to the stabilizing presence of Mack.