The Falcons have reportedly agreed to terms with veteran offensive lineman Justin McCray.
McCray, 27, will likely compete for the open spot at left guard. With the Cleveland Browns, McCray started four games and saw action in 15 games. The 6-foot-3, 317-pound lineman provides versatility along Atlanta's offensive line – a quality Falcons coach Dan Quinn covets in his players.
RELATED CONTENT
Depth at the guard position is something the Falcons needed after Wes Schweitzer hit the market and signed with the Washington Redskins. The Falcons now have four guards on their roster: Chris Lindstrom, James Carpenter, Jamon Brown and Matt Gono.
In February at Super Bowl LIV, Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed where the Falcons stand at the guard position, hinting the Falcons would be in the market for a guard.
"At guard, I think Chris (Lindstrom) is going to be a great player in the NFL for a long time. He missed most of the season, and when he was back he demonstrated both the toughness and the ability to make the right decisions on average. We have another hole I think at left guard. We have some talented young players there, but we'll probably look at that position I assume during the draft."
Where McCray will fall on Atlanta's depth chart is to be determined, but this move certainly gives the Falcons the depth they need along the offensive line.
Prior to the start of the 2019 season, McCray was traded to the Cleveland Browns where he then switched to guard.
After his first NFL stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2014, McCray spent time playing in the Arena Football League in 2016 before joining the Green Bay Packers. McCray earned a spot on the Packers' 53-man roster in 2017 and earned his first start at right tackle. He started eight games that season and was re-signed in March of 2018.
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with free agent offensive lineman Justin McCray. During his four seasons in the NFL, McCray has played in 40 games with 17 starts, mostly at the guard position.
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson (78) blocks during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Cleveland. Browns starting left offensive tackle Greg Robinson has been benched. It’s likely that he will be replaced by Justin McCray, who has not started an NFL game at left tackle and has played their sparingly during his career. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Justin McCray (67) blocks during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 27-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Cleveland Browns guard Justin McCray lines up in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. Tennessee won 43-13. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Green Bay Packers guard Justin McCray (64) blocks during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 31-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Cleveland Browns guard Justin McCray (67) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Browns 31-3. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Green Bay Packers guard Justin McCray (64) runs to block during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 51-34. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Justin McCray (67) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Rams won 20-13. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Green Bay Packers offensive guard Justin McCray (64) blocks during a week 13 NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis. Arizona won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Justin McCray (67) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Justin McCray (67) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Rams won 20-13. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Green Bay Packers offensive guard Justin McCray watches during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Justin McCray (67) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Justin McCray (67) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won the game 38-24. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Cleveland Browns guard Justin McCray (67) lines up during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Rams won 20-13. (AP Photo/David Richard)
