Falcons add depth to offensive line, sign former Cowboy Laurence Gibson

The Atlanta Falcons announced Wednesday that they have signed offensive tackle Laurence Gibson. Gibson was selected out of Virginia Tech by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

What stands out about Gibson, especially at 6'6" and 315 pounds, is how well he performed at the NFL Combine in 2015. He was a top performer in the 40-yard dash, with a time of 5.04 seconds, and he also was identified as a top performer in the vertical jump, the broad jump and the 20-yard shuttle.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein noted Gibson's proficiency as a zone blocker, particularly in terms of his lateral quickness. Zierlein also noted Gibson's intelligence and his ability to hold the edge. Most of the weaknesses Zierlein noted were related to fundamentals, which are easily corrected with solid coaching. Functional strength was also a concern.

It's unlikely the team is looking for a replacement for Ryan Schraeder, and they're definitely not considering moving anyone into Jake Matthews' spot, so this signing is primarily for depth. It's also possible they will consider him as a guard. His fit in the scheme makes him a promising addition and one to keep an eye on throughout training camp and the preseason.

Your thoughts on the addition of Gibson?