While the overwhelming feeling is the Falcons will draft a defender in the first round, particularly a pass rusher, there is a growing belief that they could draft an offensive tackle.
“Despite team owner Arthur Blank saying the emphasis of the team’s draft “will certainly” be on defensive players, don’t rule out the Falcons using one of their first two picks on an offensive player — specifically a tackle,” Josh Kendall of The Athletic wrote. “They currently have 11-year veteran Jake Matthews at left tackle and six-year veteran Kaleb McGary at right tackle, which is now the blindside blocking position because starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is left-handed.”
D. Orlando Ledbetter’s most recent mock draft had the Falcons selecting Kelvin Banks. If we are talking about just 2025, it’s not the position to target that will provide the most immediate impact. If Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris are thinking more long-term, it could be the most important position. Michael Penix Jr. is the franchise’s future. While the pass rush needs some serious TLC, finding Penix’s blindside is among the highest tasks on Atlanta’s to-do list.
Kaleb McGary is a serviceable right tackle, and I think he’s over-hated in many fans’ eyes. If Morris and Fontenot are worried about 2025 and nothing more because their jobs are on the line, McGary is a more than adequate right tackle, and the Falcons would be better served using the first-round pick on a defender.
However, if we are thinking about the next 10 years, a tackle like Banks could be a better use of draft capital. Finding the long-term blindside for Penix is important; I’d argue that it is more important than improving the pass rush. The Falcons could draft Banks or another tackle and still cut McGary, saving $14.5 million against the salary cap.
While it certainly wouldn’t be my first choice for the Falcons and it would upset a lot of fans, I can see the sense in an offensive tackle being the pick later this month.
