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Atlanta Falcons make splashy first round decision in this mock draft

By Joe Carlino

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Safety Richie Grant #27 from Central Florida of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Safety Richie Grant #27 from Central Florida of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: Alec Lindstrom #72 of the Boston College Eagles in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: Alec Lindstrom #72 of the Boston College Eagles in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Round Two (63rd overall): Alec Lindstrom, Center (Boston College)

It’s almost clear that, when former general manager Thomas Dimitroff selected Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom in the first round of the 2019 draft, he found something on tape that was special. Three years later, Lindstrom’s become one of the premier interior offensive players and arguably Atlanta’s MVP in that group (with Matthews a close second).

So with that in mind, why not take his younger brother Alec, who’s also a BC alumnus like Chris and Matt Ryan, to further try and solidify the offensive line?

Working alongside his brother in the interior, Alec’s ability to succeed in a zone system was very evident during his time as an Eagle, and after seeing the level of success Chris has shown, he’s most likely wanting to demonstrate that the family lineage is still as strong as ever.

His ability to not reveal whether a play is a designed run or a play-action allows him to crash at the point of attack properly, and given that Chris does well in his own right, Alec being drafted by Atlanta might just be what the doctor ordered to try and salvage the Jalen Mayfield experiment.

Yes, Mayfield was primarily a tackle at Michigan, and yes he was forced into this spot when Josh Andrews went down. And boy did he ever take a beating from this position.

That said, it’s reasonable to assume he’d make some progress entering his second year, however much that may be. Adding a player like Lindstrom here would be beneficial in anchoring the middle of the line, which will provide Ryan with a little extra time to read the defense and find a receiver.