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. — The Atlanta Falcons have never had a draft class solely comprised of players on one side of the ball. Not once since their first in 1966.
The closest the Falcons have come in the past two decades was either 2006, when they chose one defensive player and four defensive players, or 2009, when they picked seven defensive players and one offensive player.
So, even though team owner Arthur Blank has made it clear the emphasis in 2025 is the defense, there's always the chance the Falcons will draft an offensive player at some point between Thursday and Sunday.
It very well could be an offensive lineman.
The Falcons have been blessed with consistency along their offensive line the last two seasons, when they carried over the same starting lineup from 2023 to 2024. This offseason, however, starting center Drew Dalman signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. That departure will shake things up a bit. Otherwise, Atlanta still has left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Matthew Bergeron, right guard Chris Lindstrom and right tackle Kaleb McGary.
The departure of Dalman hasn't been a cause for panic, though. The Falcons put a right-of-first-refusal tender on restricted free agent Ryan Neuzil. That would have allowed Atlanta to match any offer, which is why Neuzil is tentatively penciled in as the starting center even though he hasn't technically re-signed yet. The deadline for Neuzil to sign an outside offer sheet passed on April 18, so his rights have reverted back to Atlanta.
It would therefore appear we have an idea of what the Falcons' starting offensive line could be next season. However, the draft presents an opportunity to build for the future and create a succession plan before one is needed.
Let's go from left to right and look at the state of the offensive line.
Matthews is 33 years old and entering his 12th season in the NFL. Considering he holds the franchise record for consecutive games started and has not missed a game since his rookie season, Matthews has understandably been called Mr. Consistent. The Falcons offered him a contract extension last month that'll keep him in Atlanta through the 2028 season. He'll be 37 by the time he's a free agent. That is, if he becomes one. Even Matthews, a former first-round draft pick, must retire at some point. Although, his father, Bruce, played for 19 seasons in the NFL.
Bergeron is the youngest starting lineman at 25 years old. The Falcons drafted him in the second round in 2023. He has two years left on his rookie contract and is set to become a free agent in 2027.
Neuzil, at 27 years old, is a former undrafted free agent who joined the Falcons in 2021 as a member of their practice squad. Neuzil first saw regular-season action in 2022, with nine appearances. He has been active for every game in the two seasons since then and has made 12 starts. Neuzil has experience, but not nearly as much as his counterparts. If he is the full-time starter this season, his performance could dictate the next chapter of his career.
Lindstrom is firmly in the prime of his career at 28 years old. The former first-round draft pick has made three consecutive as he enters his seventh season. He signed a contract extension in 2023 that made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history at the time and keeps him in the fold until 2029. Lindstrom is one of the most reliable guards in the league and has only missed one game since returning from injured reserve as a rookie in 2019.
McGary is 30 years old as of February. Another former first-round draft pick, McGary has been a starter since he arrived in 2019 and only missed eight games in seven seasons. His contract expires after the 2025 season, though, so there will be an immediate void in 2026 unless the Falcons re-sign him.
What's impressive is all five of these linemen began their careers with the Falcons. And three of them have been in the starting lineup for at least six years. That's a wealth of knowledge a rookie could benefit from. Tips and tricks to stay healthy. Best on-field practices. Game-day advice. Anything, really.
The point is, the Falcons could benefit from allowing the current regime usher in the next generation or at the very least help cultivate depth. Because sooner or later, members of this line will cycle out, whether that be to retirement, injury or another team. Best to take advantage of the opportunity while it exists, and that starts with the 2025 NFL Draft.
