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Falcons head coach Dan Quinn isn’t happy about the state of the offensive line. He publicly declared his willingness to move on from everyone not named Alex Mack or Jake Matthews a couple weeks back. While the Falcons have a number of important expenses on the horizon, they may need to use free agency in their effort to upgrade the offensive line. Here are some priority free agents the Falcons may eye once free agency kicks off:
Rodger Saffold - Guard
If the Falcons don’t think they can revamp the entire offensive line in a single draft (spoiler alert: they probably can’t), Saffold would be a solid option. He graded out as PFF’s 7th best guard in the NFL this season and in a perfect world, he’ll help the Rams knock off the Saints this weekend. What’s not to like? Because Saffold will be 31 by the time next season starts, he’s not a long-term option. But let’s be honest, the Falcons just need a reliable veteran to line up next to Alex Mack for a couple seasons.
Mark Glowinski - Guard
Glowinski is frequently praised for his two most defining characteristics: his nasty streak and his versatility. In a pinch, he can play any position along the offensive front and was PFF’s 10th rated guard in 2018. Glowinski will be 27 by the time next season starts and because he started out last season as a backup, he may be looking to lock down a starting gig.
Bobby Massie - Tackle
Massie will turn 30 in August but was PFF’s 29th best tackle in 2018. The Bears will surely look to keep Massie in Chicago, if possible, and the Falcons probably aren’t positioned financially to win a bidding war. That said, Massie completely crushed his competition during the second half of 2018. If Ryan Schraeder is no longer in their plans long-term, Massie undoubtedly deserves a look.
Donovan Smith - Tackle
Smith will only be 26 years old when next season begins and his tenure in Tampa Bay hasn’t gone as planned, so he stands to benefit from a fresh start. Notwithstanding his struggles in pass protection, Smith graded out as PFF’s 46th best tackle in 2018. Smith is basically the poster child for inconsistency and unfulfilled potential. Under the right circumstances, he’s a high ceiling investment worth a gamble. You’d like to see him find his stride in a Falcons uniform, but Thomas Dimitroff and company will need to feel comfortable assuming responsibility for his continued development.
The Falcons will need to take a careful approach in free agency, and as they try to fix the unit that almost got Matt Ryan killed in 2018, they’ll will undoubtedly take a look at the players listed above. Your thoughts on these impending free agents?