The Falcons drafted two offensive linemen in the first round, and that got my attention. With better blocking, that looks like it could be one of the top-shelf offenses. They’ve finished just 15th and 13th in scoring the last two years, but looks like a top-5 group to me.
Atlanta also committed some free agent resources to that position group, signing James Carpenter and Jamon Brown. With Alex Mack and Jake Matthews coming back, they’ll likely be starting first-round picks at all five offensive line spots.
That has me feeling pretty good about Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman and others in that offense.
The Falcons selected Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom with the 14th pick of the first round. With the 31st pick, they selected tackle Kaleb McGary (pictured) from the University of Washington.
Only four times previously in the Super Bowl era have teams used multiple first-round picks on offensive linemen. It happened way back in 1968 with Kansas City (Mo Moorman, George Daney). That team won the Super Bowl after the 1969 season (with Moorman starting but Daney in a reserve role). And it happened in 1975 with the Rams (Dennis Harrah, Doug France). That team went on to win the next five NFC West titles.
More recently, the Jets selected D’Brickashaw Ferguson 4th and Nick Mangold 29th in 2006. That team the next season was better in every offensive category you can think of, including points, rushing yards, average per carry, passing yards, completion percentage and sacks.
| New York Jets (2006) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | Total | Diff |
| Points | 316 | +76 |
| Run Yd | 1,738 | +410 |
| YPC | 3.54 | +.08 |
| TDR | 15 | +5 |
| Pass Yd | 3,352 | +363 |
| Pct | 64.1% | +7.1% |
| TDP | 17 | +6 |
| Sacks | 34 | +19 |
Most recently, San Francisco in 2010 selected Anthony Davis 11th and Mike Iupati 17th. That team the next year finished with more rushing yards and passing yards but finished with worse numbers in all other notable categories, including points, yards-per-carry and sacks.
| San Francisco (2010) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | Total | Diff |
| • Points | 305 | -25 |
| Run Yd | 1,657 | +57 |
| • YPC | 4.13 | -.18 |
| • TDR | 10 | -2 |
| Pass Yd | 3,613 | +320 |
| • Pct | 56.4% | -2.7% |
| • TDP | 19 | -4 |
| • Sacks | 44 | -4 |
—Ian Allan