NFL Draft Needs: Falcons Target 'Developmental' OL Prospect?

With aging players at both offensive tackle positions, could the Atlanta Falcons bet on a draft prospect with high upside?

For all of the excitement the addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins has brought to the Atlanta Falcons, they're only going to reach their full potential if they can keep him upright. 

While the offensive line is mostly intact for next season, that doesn't mean the Falcons can't invest in the offensive line for the future. Bleacher Report broke down needs and potential draft targets for each team on all three days of the NFL Draft, and they had Missouri Tigers offensive tackle Javon Foster as a player Atlanta should target on Day 3.

Feb 3, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American offensive lineman Javon Foster of Missouri (75) sets up on the line during the second half of the 2024 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

"Atlanta should be on the hunt for more tackle depth, and a developmental prospect like Missouri's Javon Foster would be ideal," Bleacher Report writes. "He will need time to develop, but his 6'5[-and-a-half], [313]-pound frame provides a strong starting point. McGary will turn 30 and Matthews will turn 33 before the 2025 offseason. Planning ahead would be wise, especially with an aging Cousins under center."

The Falcons' offensive line allowed 40 sacks last season, which was tied for the 12th-fewest in the NFL.

Foster was a three-year starter for Missouri. His play led to him being named a third-team All-American and made the first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press and coaches. His play helped lead to the Tigers' offensive line being a Joe Moore Award, which goes to the most outstanding offensive line in the nation in college football. 

Right tackle Kaleb McGary's contact could also make him a cut candidate after next season, as Atlanta would save $14.5 million while only incurring $2 million in dead money, according to Over The Cap. If McGary misses time again due to injury or his play declines and the Falcons have an offensive tackle waiting in the wings, moving on from him ahead of the final year of his contract is more than feasible.  

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Moving on from left tackle Matthews would prove more difficult, as cutting the long-tenured lineman would save about $9.2 million but incur just over $12.54 million in dead money.  

The Falcons' offensive line play is especially important given Cousins is coming off a torn achilles and was never a mobile quarterback to begin with. Even if it isn't betting on the upside of a player like Foster, investing in the offensive line should be a priority with Cousins at quarterback and offensive tackles Matthews and McGary getting up there in age.