Atlanta Falcons: Who is the Answer at Left Guard?

Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Cameron Erving (75) gestures during the second half of the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Draft Prospects

If the Falcons aren’t convinced they have a starter at left guard on the roster already, they could very well look to add that player in the early rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft. This year’s class is chock full of talented zone scheme lineman, with several potential starters slotted to go in rounds 1-3.

Players the Falcons could be interested in during the early rounds include:

• Florida State C Cameron Erving and OG Tre’ Jackson, who both had plenty of success in the zone scheme
• Oregon OT Jake Fisher, who is among the most athletic linemen in the 2015 draft class
• Hobart C Ali Marpet, who impressed at the Combine with his insane athleticism

If Atlanta elects to address the position later on in the draft – which could certainly be the choice with all the needs the team has to fill – there are still plenty of options. Here are some of my favorite mid-to-late round zone scheme linemen:

• Florida State OG Josue Matias (3rd-4th round)
• Arizona State OG Jamil Douglas (4th round)
• Missouri OG Mitch Morse (4th-5th round)
• Texas A&M OG Jarvis Harrison (4th-5th round)
• San Diego State OT Terry Poole (5th-6th round)
• Toledo C/G Greg Mancz (6th-7th round)
• Florida OT/OG Chaz Green (6th-7th round)

With so many available players and potential options, what is the final verdict at the LG position?

Next: The Verdict