Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As much as the Falcons may want to keep their entire starting offensive line together for the third year in a row, it may be too expensive to do so as center Drew Dalman is scheduled to hit the free agency market this offseason.
Since being drafted by the Falcons with the No. 114 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Dalman has started 40 of his 57 games played for Atlanta. He's what some could consider a Day 3 success story for the Falcons as he's been a reliable starter for a top-performing offensive line since his second year in the league.
The starting five of Jake Matthews (left tackle), Matthew Bergeron (left guard), Dalman (center), Chris Lindstrom (right guard) and Kaleb McGary (right tackle) have been consistent mainstays for two seasons. That continuity is a rarity in the NFL, but its something that solidified the unit as a top-5, run-blocking core. Dalman — who worked with Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback — was an important piece of the group. With his experience level, he was going to draw attention as a free agent in this current market. And if reports are true, he has.
According to a joint report from ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Falcons "are prepared to lose" Dalman in free agency.
"They'd like to have him back," Graziano stated, "but are concerned he can get more money elsewhere."
How much money? Per Fowler, likely more than the Falcons are able to pay out.
"Dalman will easily top the free agent center market and should post a strong number," Fowler reported. "While Creed Humphrey's four-year, $72 million deal is tough to top, Dalman will do very well."
Unfortunately for the Falcons, that figure may be too high a price to pay considering how much money they already have going to Matthews, Lindstrom and McGary. That trio alone makes up 21.2% of the Falcons' salary cap allotment.
So, where does that leave the Falcons' starting center position? Well, they are not likely to have to look very far. Backup center Ryan Neuzil is set to be a restricted free agent, so the Falcons could tender him and make him Dalman's replacement. This is a role Neuzil has played well at various points in time since he joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022, making the move from college guard to professional center.
Most recently in 2024, Neuzil started eight games for Atlanta when Dalman was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The former UDFA held his own and was a serviceable replacement. What's more, because of the nature of the Falcons' quarterback situation in 2024, Neuzil also has some banked practice reps with Penix, who takes over as the full-time starter in 2025.
This seems like the easiest (and cap friendliest) move for the Falcons in 2025 as they can address the center position at a later date while still managing to keep a bit of continuity intact if Dalman were to receive an offer he couldn't refuse elsewhere.
The two-day negotiation period begins Monday, March 10, with the new league year beginning Wednesday, March 12. More should be known at that point about what the Falcons are set to do at center in 2025.
