Editor’s note: This is the final story of a 10-part, position-by-position series analyzing the Falcons’ roster before the start of training camp.
Falcons center Alex Mack, who was voted second-team All-Pro last season, is the anchor of the offensive line.
“We’ve grown a bit since I first showed up,” said Mack, who was signed as a free agent in 2016. “But really, you want to see that, every day, every season, just getting better, one day at a time.”
The Falcons, who report for training camp on Wednesday, are hoping for continued growth from left tackle Jake Matthews and right tackle Ryan Schraeder.
Left guard Andy Levitre is expected to be recovered from his partially torn triceps injury.
The Falcons signed Brando Fusco in free agency. Fusco and incumbent Wes Schweitzer both spent time with the first-team line at right guard over the offseason.
The Falcons did not draft any offensive linemen.
“We’re very excited,” offensive line coach Chris Morgan said. “We have a really cool collection of smart, tough and competitive guys.”
Ty Sambrailo and Austin Pasztor were the backup tackles last season.
“They are pushing each other and going for it,” Morgan said. “It’s cool to see some of the guys that when we got here and they were younger guys. Now, you see them embracing that leadership role like Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder. Those were younger guys when we got here, now they are guys who are leading.”
Right guard was the leaky spot along the line last season.
Garland and Schweitzer combined to surrender 46 total pressures, with Garland also playing 341 snaps in relief at left guard after Levitre was injured.
“Wes got better every game,” Morgan said. “He got better as the season progressed. To be able to add Brandon and have you guys like Ty and Jamil (Douglas), they are going for it in the biggest way.”
The Falcons signed Fusco to a three-year, $12.75 million contract. He’s started 80 of 83 games he’s played for the Vikings and 49ers. He started all 16 games at right guard for the 49ers last season.
“He’s a smart, tough football player who can move,” Morgan said. “He’s played a lot of good ball in this league. He’ll add to the competition.”
The Falcons drafted Sean Harlow in the fourth round (136th overall) of the 2017 draft. He played tackle in college at Oregon State and was converted to guard by the Falcons.
“Sean came a long way last year,” Morgan said. “He bounced around. He played guard, he played center, he played all of it. He was a tackle coming out. It’s a big adjustment moving a guy to becoming an inside player when he hasn’t really done it a whole lot.”
Harlow was inactive for all 16 games last season. He’ll have to make a good impression during live contact in the exhibition season.
“He’s grown up,” Morgan said. “He’s maturing. His strength is in a good spot. His understanding of the offense is better. I want to see the best version of him.”
While the Falcons have looked at read-pass option plays and adding some power, the blocking assignments will not change much
“You take in different things that are going around the league,” Morgan said. “If you see something that fits, you look at it, you study it and see if it can add to who you are. We’re going to be our core. How can we be better at the core of what we do. You try to find little bits and pieces that are hopefully going to make you better.”
90-MAN ROSTER ANALYSIS
Part 1: Defensive Line
Part 2: Linebackers
Part 3: Cornerbacks
Part 4: Safeties
Part 5: Special teams
Part 6: Quarterbacks
Part 7: Running backs
Part 8: Wide receivers
Part 9: Tight ends
Here’s a look at the projected depth chart heading into training camp:
OFFENSE
WR 11 Julio Jones, 18, Calvin Ridley, 14 Justin Hardy, 13 Reggie Davis, 86 Lamar Jordan, 16 Taj Williams
LT 70 Jake Matthews, 68 Austin Pasztor, 76 Daniel Brunskill
LG 67 Andy Levitre, 63 Ben Garland, 64 Sean Harlow, 75 Jamil Douglas
C 51 Alex Mack, 63 Ben Garland, 61 J.C. Hassenauer
RG 65 Brandon Fusco, 71 Wes Schweitzer, 62 Salesi Uhatafe
RT 73 Ryan Schraeder, 74 Ty Sambrailo, 77 Matt Gono
TE 81 Austin Hooper, 82 Logan Paulsen, 85 Eric Saubert, 89 Alex Gray, 80 Troy Mangen, 87 Jaeden Graham
WR 12 Mohamed Sanu, 17 Marvin Hall, 83 Russell Gage, 15 Christian Blake, 19 Dontez Byrd, 7 Devin Gray
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 8 Matt Schaub, 9 Grayson Garrett, 6 Kurt Benkert
RB 24 Devonta Freeman, 26 Tevin Coleman, 25 Ito Smith, 41 Terrence Magee, 32 Justin Crawford, 35 Malik Williams
FB 40 Daniel Marx, 43 Luke McNitt, 30 Ricky Ortiz
DEFENSE
DE 98 Takk McKinley, 50 Brooks Reed, 79 Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, 96 Mackendy Cheridor
DT 99 Terrell McClain, 94 Deadrin Senat, 93 Garrison Smith,
DT 97 Grady Jarrett, 95 Jack Crawford, 92 Justin Zimmer, 99 Jon Cunningham
DE 44 Vic Beasley, 90 Derrick Shelby, 55 J’Terius Jones
WLB 42 Duke Riley, 54 Foyesade Oluokun
MLB 45 Deion Jones, 52 Emmanuel Ellerbe, 53 Emmanuel Smith
SLB 59 De’Vondre Campbell, 36 Kemal Ishmael, 56 Anthony Winbush, 49 Richard Jarvis
CB 23 Robert Alford, 20 Isaiah Oliver, 28 Justin Bethel, 33 Blidi Wreh-Wilson, 39 Deante Burton
CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 34 Brian Poole, 35 Leon McFadden, 43 Chris Lammons
NB 34 Brian Poole, 27 Damontae Kazee, 42 Tyson Graham, 30 Joseph Putu
FS 37 Ricardo Allen, 27 Damontae Kazee, 38 Marcelis Branch, 41 Jason Hall
SS 22 Keanu Neal, Ron Parker, 35 Secdrick Cooper
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant, 1 David Marvin
KO 5 Matt Bosher
P 5 Matt Bosher
KR 14 Justin Hardy, 17 Marvin Hall, 30 Ito Smith
PR 14 Justin Hardy, 16 Reggie Davis
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 5 Matt Bosher
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