Atlanta Falcons: Should OT Branden Albert be considered?
With the backup swing tackle job currently being fought for by a bunch of formerly undrafted free agents, should the Atlanta Falcons look at bringing in the former Kansas City Chief first-rounder?
On August 11 the Jacksonville Jaguars officially released offensive tackle Branden Albert. Albert had been traded to Jacksonville from Miami earlier in the offseason, but had then held out and then ultimately retired. Shortly after retiring, however, the 32-year-old Albert changed his mind and wanted back in. By that point, however, the Jaguars had clearly decided they were done with him and let him go, making him an unrestricted free agent. As of this writing he was still unsigned.
Despite the recent soap-opera-like aspect to his career, Albert boasts an impressive resume’. He was the 15th overall pick of the 2008 draft. Despite being a guard in college the Chiefs kicked out to left tackle as a rookie. Over the course of his career he has started in every game he was healthy enough to play in, save two. He was selected to the 2013 and 2015 Pro Bowls.
The Falcons have a notable question mark at the swing tackle position. After letting Tom Compton leave in free agency this past offseason, the current group of candidates are all players who weren’t even drafted out of college. The group seen at tackle in the first preseason game against the Dolphins after Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder left the game were Daniel Brunskill, converted tight end D. J. Tialavea, Andreas Knappe, Will Freeman, and Marquis Lucas.
Of that group, the only one that looked to me like he could in the regular season was Brunskill, and even then I’d be awfully leery of him having to protect Matt Ryan’s blindside for any extended period of time. Tialavea looks like he has potential down the road, but if he sticks with the team it should be on the practice squad, not the active 53-man roster. Knappe and Freeman looked like just guys to me, and Lucas looked completely out of place at left tackle.
So, what are the downsides to bringing in Albert? Well, if recent events are any indication, he certainly has commitment issues. Also, would he be willing to be a backup? He’s also never played on the right side of the offensive line.
Going back to his college days, he’s always been either a left guard or a left tackle. If he had to step in and replace Schraeder, could he?
Finally, what would the salary cap implications be? According to overthecap.com, the Falcons currently have a little over $4.5 million in cap space. If I understand the situation correctly, if the Falcons were to sign Albert they would not have to pick up the remainder of the five-year deal he signed back in 2014. They could sign him to whatever deal they were comfortable with. However, keep in mind the Albert had been holding out from Jacksonville when he was due $8.875 million for this coming season.
Next: Atlanta Falcons: Winners and Losers from Preseason Week One
Got any thoughts Falcons nation? Hit the comment section below and let your voice be heard.