The Falcons could be one of the surprise teams if not the surprise team in the NFL next season. The offense has a chance to be elite led by their new offensive minded head coach Kevin Stefanski and with the Falcons having two talented left-handed quarterbacks. Both the quarterbacks are incredibly injury prone and cannot do much damage in the ground game, so the Falcons’ offensive line needs to be very stout next season in order to keep the QBs healthy and for the running game to flourish. Here I will go into detail assessing the Falcons on the offensive front heading into next season.
Set to start at the left tackle spot is former first rounder Jake Matthews who has consistently been a strong player in the NFL. Matthews grades in the above average to well above average range among players at his position in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus on a perennial basis. However, Matthews is not quite an elite player although very good and he is known to struggle as a run blocker with regularity as well although being very effective as a pass protector. Matthews is a good to a very good but not a great left tackle and provides the Falcons with stability at the position.
Set to start at the left guard spot is former second rounder Matthew Bergeron who is also very effective although not elite. But Bergeron is known for being a highly effective run blocker but struggling in pass protection. Perhaps as Bergeron heads into first season playing for an offensive minded head coach while he is not a rookie, he can come into his own. But regardless, Bergeron is a solid if not more than that starter as of now who could eventually become a pro bowl caliber player if he shows continued growth.
Starting at center is Ryan Neuzil who came into his own last season for the Falcons. Neuzil ranked among the best overall offensive lineman in the sport this past season. He ranked in the top ten among players at his position in terms of pass blocking efficiency, run blocking grade, and an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus. This was Neuzil’s one and only season where he logged starter snaps however so it remains to be seen if he can keep it up. However, as of now Neuzil is in line to rank among the premier starting centers in the NFL next season.
Former first rounder Chris Lindstrom is set to start at right guard, and he is one of the premier offensive linemen in the sport today garnering a second team all pro selection on four different occasions. Lindstrom is perhaps the premier run blocking guard in the NFL today while also consistently being a very strong pass protector although having a down year in 2025 in terms of pass protection. Lindstrom is one of the premier starting guards in the sport today and provides stability to the Falcons’ offensive front.
Set to start at the right tackle spot is former second rounder Jawaan Taylor who has underwhelmed in his career thus far but has still shown some promise. Taylor was a highly touted prospect entering the NFL and had a decent rookie season and was recognized as one of the best rookies in the NFL in year 1. However, in all seven seasons that Taylor has played in the NFL he has graded in the below average range in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Taylor has shown promise from time to time in the NFL as such a high draft pick to the point where the Chiefs even signed him to an 80-million-dollar contract. However, he is far too inconsistent at this point and may eventually transition to a reserve role with Atlanta as he is likely better suited as a high-end backup given his talent but inconsistencies.
From a reserve standpoint on the offensive front the Falcons have some notable names that could transition to being starters and/or could serve the team well as high end backups. The first of which is tackle Wanya Morris who the Falcons recently traded for from the Chiefs which was an underrated move. Morris was drafted relatively high and although he has looked consistently mediocre when playing he has yet had the chance to come into his own. In three seasons in the NFL, Morris has played around 1000 combined snaps which is the equivalent of about one total season. Although Morris has graded below average in every one of those years, he has not had a chance to gain enough experience yet to show he was indeed worthy of being drafted so high. Another noteworthy name on the reserve unit of the Falcons’ offensive front is newly acquired 2024 4th rounder Layden Robinson. Robinson like Morris was drafted pretty high and has yet had the chance to come into his own. Interior offensive lineman Corey Levin has played at a very strong level from time to time although lacking consistency. While Atlanta has a few other reserve players on their offensive front who could contribute at a decent rate if need be, as well.
Overall, the Falcons have what it takes to have one of the premier offensive lines in the sport next season, if they can stay healthy and if they get strong production from their starting right tackle spot which is a question mark as of now although they have some promising players. A breakdown of the Falcons’ offensive line can be found below.
2026 Projected Falcons’ Starting Offensive Line
LT – Jake Matthews – B to B+
LG – Matthew Bergeron – B to B+
C – Ryan Neuzil – A-
RG – Chris Lindstrom – A to A+
RT – Jawaan Taylor – C to C+, drafted very highly and has shown promise in the NFL
2026 Notable Reserve Falcons’ Offensive Linemen
T – Wanya Morris – 2023 3rd rounder, C so far, but yet has had chance to come into his own
G/C – Corey Levin – C+ to B-, has played very well from time to time but lacks consistency
G – Layden Robinson – 2024 4th rounder, poor as rookie, DNP in ’25
