With the addition of Todd Gurley, the Falcons' projected starting offense now features 10 players who were once first-round draft picks.
Wide receiver: Julio Jones
Wide receiver: Calvin Ridley
Tight end: Hayden Hurst
Center: Alex Mack
Left tackle: Jake Matthews
Left guard: James Carpenter
Right guard: Chris Lindstrom
Right tackle: Kaleb McGary
Quarterback: Matt Ryan
Running back: Todd Gurley
After letting Austin Hooper hit the market, the Falcons made a trade with the Baltimore Ravens for Hurst. The 26-year old was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Falcons also released running back Devonta Freeman on Wednesday leaving a hole at running back. Atlanta quickly addressed the position with the addition of Gurley on a one-year deal worth a reported $5 million.
Gurley, 25, was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday after five seasons in which he rushed for 5,404 yards and 58 touchdowns.
Jones and Ryan have 319 combined starts for the Falcons. Ryan was with the No. 3rd overall pick in 2008 and has only missed three games in his career.
The Falcons pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Jones in the 2011 NFL Draft. General manager Thomas Dimitroff jumped from pick No. 26 to No. 6 to draft Jones.
Ryan and Jones continue to re-write the Falcons' record books as they both continue to play at an elite level.
Atlanta addressed their offensive line in the 2019 draft when acquiring both Lindstrom (No. 14 overall) and McGary (No. 30 overall) in the first round. Lindstrom suffered a serious foot injury in the first game of his rookie season limiting his amount of time on the field as a starter. McGary started all 16 games for the Falcons and progressed as the season went on.
Ridley is a player the Falcons never believed would fall to them but when he was available with the No. 26 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, it was a no-brainer decision.
Mack and Matthews have been consistent starters for the Falcons over the last few seasons. Matthews was the No. 6 overall pick in 2014 and has started every game of his career. Mack was acquired via free agency in 2015 and has been the anchor of Atlanta's offensive line since he arrived. The Cleveland Browns drafted Mack with their first-round pick in 2009.
Carpenter was the No. 21st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. The veteran guard spent time with New York Jets before signing with the Falcons in free agency prior to the 2019 season.
