Atlanta Falcons’ 90-man roster analysis: Offensive line

Fusco, Schweitzer look to stabilize right guard position
Falcons center  Alex Mack #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half against the Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17,  in Atlanta

Falcons center Alex Mack #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half against the Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, in Atlanta

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