FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield, who started 16 games at left guard as a rookie in 2021, was working at right tackle with the third-team line during OTAs on Wednesday.
Mayfield, who sustained a lower back injury and did not play last season, played right tackle in college at Michigan. He was drafted in the third round by the Falcons.
In 2021, coach Arthur Smith’s first season with the team, the Falcons needed help at guard and tried to convert Mayfield. He struggled.
Mayfield had a bumpy start in the season opener, but after a week of practice the Falcons elected to stay with him.
Mayfield played 989 snaps on offense and led the NFL in sacks allowed by a guard, with 11. He also had nine penalties, which normally were drive killers for a team that couldn’t run the ball and was short on playmakers.
Mayfield had a 49.3 (F) grade from Pro Football Focus, and Colby Gossett started the regular-season finale in place of Mayfield.
The Falcons drafted Matthew Bergeron in the second round this season and are trying to convert him to guard. Currently, Matt Hennessy is taking the reps with the first-team line at left guard, and Kyle Hinton was with the second team, with Bergeron on the third team.
Kaleb McGary was with the first team at right tackle, and Ethan Greenidge worked with the second team at right tackle.
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