2019 NFL Draft: NFC South Draft Grades
Atlanta Falcons: B
- 1st round, Pick 14: Chris Lindstrom, OG (Boston College)
- 1st round, Pick 31: Kaleb McGary, OT (Washington)
- 4th round, Pick 111: Kendall Sheffield, CB (Ohio State)
- 4th round, Pick 135: John Cominsky, DE (Charlotte)
- 5th round, Pick 152: Qadree Ollison, RB (Pitt)
- 5th round, Pick 172: Jordan Miller, CB (Washington)
- 6th round, Pick 203: Marcus Green, WR (ULM)
Key offseason roster additions/changes:
- Lose: Tevin Coleman (RB2) / Brian Poole (DB) / Robert Alford (DB)
- Cut Ryan Schraeder (RT)
- Tagged Grady Jarrett (DT)
- Signed: James Carpenter (OG) / Jamon Brown (OG) / Ben Garland (OG)
Clearly, the offensive line was a primary focus for this football team this offseason. They not only invested a lot of money into the position, but they’ve also invested two really valuable draft picks.
As for the grade, I give them a B in the 2019 NFL Draft because I truly do love the intent here from Atlanta. You need offensive line help even after the signings in free agency. And I’m here for the Chris Lindstrom selection there at number 14. Just because he’s not a household name at this point doesn’t mean he’s not the best outside zone blocker in this draft. Atlanta got a good one here.
However, yes my eyes tell me Lindstrom is the perfect fit for this system. Mr. McGary? Not so much. He’s a tight hipped athlete, that when he couldn’t just win with brute strength in college, his limited athleticism was on display. I just don’t see this guy excelling in a heavy outside zone scheme in the NFL.
That’s my only issue here with the Falcons offseason moves because there truly wasn’t much room for improvement on the defensive side of the ball, other than cornerback. The defense should be much better with Keanu Neal and Deion Jones getting back and healthy this season. On top of that, we all know that they have a litany of offensive weapons.