Atlanta Falcons cannot get back to the playoffs until they upgrade the OL

The Atlanta Falcons have to upgrade the offensive line before talking about the playoffs.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank stated that the franchise needs to have a better presence on the ground and he is right. Even though this is a passing league, the successful teams still have successful running games – they have balance, which is something you cannot have when your QB is throwing 600 times a year.

While running back is indeed a need, it is far from the biggest need on this roster. Adding a big-time running back via the draft or free agency isn’t going to get this franchise back to playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Who would block for this elusive game-changing running back?

That question alone has to be answered for this team to win more than it loses in 2021.

This team still needs a left guard, right tackle, and depth across the board. Alex Mack is more than likely not going to be back in 2021, which leaves second-year player Matt Hennessy as the only current option.

James Carpenter and Justin McCray at left guard weren’t good enough in 2020 and that isn’t going to change in 2021. Kaleb McGary has been the most inconsistent piece on the Atlanta Falcons offensive line.

There are weeks for McGary where he looks like one of the league’s best young right tackles and then he follows them up with terrible performances where we are left to wonder why in the world this franchise traded back into the first round to draft him.

Jake Matthews continues to be whom he has been for years and while they need to replace him at some point, he still has another couple of serviceable years.

Chris Lindstrom is by far the best offensive lineman on this roster and his future is as bright as any offensive lineman that the Atlanta Falcons have had in the last decade.

Now, the franchise just needs another four to join him.

Before this franchise can worry about adding any of the three first-round grade running backs – Travis Etienne, Najee Harris, or Kenny Gainwell – they need to worry about who is going to open up holes for him upfront and who can keep Matt Ryan from getting sacked 40 or more times per year.

Super Bowl contending teams have good coaching, elite playmakers on offense and defense, and are elite upfront. The Falcons seem to have good coaching and elite playmakers on both sides of the ball, now they need to become elite upfront.