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Austin Golson is not one of the biggest names in this draft class, but he’s one of the many intriguing offensive linemen in a deep class. He also appears to be on Atlanta’s radar.
Per D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Falcons were at Auburn’s Pro Day and met with Golson. No word on whether they also met with Braden Smith, a more highly-regarded guard prospect also from Auburn, but Golson’s worth considering on his own merits.
Auburn OL Austin Golson, who played all 5 positions has interviewed with the #Falcons. He’s a projected mid-round pick. pic.twitter.com/ChnOgo8Bf1
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) March 9, 2018
Golson’s best attribute might be his versatility, as he’s played all five positions along the line in his college career. He carries a reputation as a capable run blocker who is light on his feet, and he’s certainly able to play both guard and center if called upon to do so. He’ll have to add functional strength at the NFL level and may not have the talent to be a full-time starter, but as a versatile interior lineman with some upside, he’d be a sensible enough pick for Atlanta.
The Falcons still seem likely to invest in the guard position earlier than this, but it’s possible that Golson will be an option in the fourth round or later if he’s hanging around, or that he’ll be a fallback option if the Falcons miss out on some of their top targets. With a fairly deep class along the offensive line, it’s sort of impossible to tell what level of interest the team has in Golson, but this visit means he’s a name you should pay attention to.