After considering all options at left guard, the Falcons are staying with rookie Jalen Mayfield, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Friday.
“He’s a young guy that had to go out there,” Smith said after practice. “He did enough this week to justify getting another opportunity.”
The Falcons (0-1) are set to face the Buccaneers (1-0) at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Mayfield, a third-round pick from Michigan, struggled in the opener. He played mostly right tackle for the Wolverines and is being converted to left guard.
“There are a million offensive linemen that will tell you their first game wasn’t good,” Smith said. “But what you got to see is, you’ve got to see improvement. Then you’ve got to weigh in is he making progress? Is he not hurting the team? I thought he had a good week.”
The Falcons’ defensive tackles, including two-time Pro Bowl player Grady Jarrett, have helped to get Mayfield ready.
“It’s a fine line,” Smith said. “Jalen is a tough kid. You’re talking about a tough spot. You’ve got to be mentally tough to be a pro football player, too.
“Especially in today’s world where everything is magnified and you got a million experts. You’ve got to stay neutral and worry about what I have to do better. It wasn’t perfect. That’s everybody.”
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