Falcons offensive lineman tops Bucs QB in PFF's 'top 30 players over 30'
Falcons offensive lineman tops Bucs QB in PFF's 'top 30 players over 30'
Despite losing their starting center in free agency, the Atlanta Falcons should still have one of the strongest offensive lines in the NFL this season. The team is banking on veterans Jake Matthews, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary to hold down the fort as Ryan Neuzil adjusts to a full-time role at center.
Former second-round pick Matthew Bergeron has been steady at left guard and should continue to ascend as he goes into his third NFL season. The overall strength of this unit bodes well for second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who finally has the keys to the Falcons offense.
While Lindstrom tends to get the most recognition, it all starts with Matthews at left tackle. The 33-year-old turned in another solid campaign in 2024. Matthews was the lone Falcons player to be included on the Pro Football Focus "top 30 players over 30" entering the 2025 season.
The former Pro Bowler landed at No. 24 on PFF"s list, one spot ahead of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield:
Matthews remains one of the NFL's most consistent pass protectors entering his age-33 season. He earned an 85.4 pass-blocking grade in 2024 — the second-best of his career — and has posted a grade above 80.0 in eight of the past ten seasons. His durability also stands out, with over 1,000 snaps played in each of the past 10 years. -- Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus
The Falcons signed Matthews to a two-year extension worth $45 million just before the official start of NFL free agency. The veteran left tackle's dependability has helped the team focus on other areas in the draft, including the wide receiver, running back and quarterback positions.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was listed at No. 1 on Pro Football Focus' "top 30 players over 30," and it's hard to argue. Despite switching teams, Henry had one of the best years of his career at the age of 30 last season. He rushed for over 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Steelers edge T.J. Watt, 49ers tight end George Kittle, Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones and Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson rounded out PFF's top five.
Around Falcons Wire
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ex-Panthers WR Diontae Johnson admits Browns were only team to contact him this offseason
Ex-Panthers WR Diontae Johnson admits Browns were only team to contact him this offseason A former Carolina Panthers wide receiver may be on his last chance in the NFL. Diontae Johnson, now a member of the Cleveland Browns, chatted with reporters from the site of his new team's mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. The 28-year-old and one-time Pro Bowler talked about trying to move on from a tumultuous 2024 season, one where he picked up four different stints with three different teams. "Everybody's gonna have their opinions," stated Johnson, who also admitted that the Browns were the only team to contact him this offseason. "At the end of the day, I'm the only one in that room that really know what be going on. They're entitled to their own opinion. I can only go off of what I know and try to go off of what I put out there, my best effort. Last year's last year, I'm trying to change that narrative and move the right way and keep going." Johnson's campaign began with the Panthers, who acquired him in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the start of the new league year. Then Johnson, despite leading the team in every major receiving stat through eight weeks, was shipped away to the Baltimore Ravens in a deal involving a late-round draft pick swap. The Panthers didn't disclose exactly why they cut ties with Johnson, but their reasoning may have become evident during his stay in Baltimore. After refusing to enter a Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson was suspended and eventually waived by the Ravens. He'd then wind up with the Houston Texans right ahead of their playoff run. Johnson's run there, however, was cut short—as the Texans parted ways with him after he made a scene in the locker room following the team's wild-card round win over the Los Angeles Chargers. His season essentially came to an end when he was claimed by the Ravens a day later. Baltimore, who had no intentions of actually playing Johnson for the remainder of their postseason appearance, picked him up in an effort to improve their compensatory draft pick formula . . . and maybe to stick it to the disgruntled pass catcher. So, after all of that, perhaps Johnson was lucky to have even one team show interest in him. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
NBC Sports
20 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Khalil Mack: Staying with Chargers was less about finances than about winning games
Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack says looking for the most lucrative contract offer wasn't his top priority as free agency approached in March. Mack, who stayed with the Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal, said he thinks there's more he can accomplish with the Chargers and wants to be part of what they're building. 'I had to be fair in the approach to things and not making it about just finances and all the different things,' Mack said, via ESPN. 'I tried to make it more so just about winning ball games.' The Chargers went 11-6 last season in Jim Harbaugh's first year as head coach, and that has Mack thinking about a bright future in Los Angeles. 'Just not wanting to give up on that goal and that ambition that I have ever since I stepped into the league,' Mack said. 'I knew I wanted to play in important games and win a Super Bowl.' For all that he has accomplished in his NFL career, Mack has never experienced winning a playoff game. That's something he thinks he can do with the Chargers, and is one of the reasons he's back for another year.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Top Georgia commit Justice Fitzpatrick shuts down his recruitment
Georgia Bulldogs football cornerback commit Justice Fitzpatrick announced that he will be shutting down his recruitment after recently committing to the University of Georgia. Fitzpatrick was expected to take more visits, but those appear to no longer be happening. Fitzpatrick is highly regarded and is ranked as the 47th-best player in the country. He's the third-best cornerback in the class of 2026 and the fifth-best player in Florida. He's close to being ranked as a five-star recruit. Advertisement His commitment is particularly notable due to his connection to NFL All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, his older brother. This familial link likely played a role, as Georgia head coach Kirby Smart previously recruited and coach Minkah Fitzpatrick at Alabama before taking the Georgia job, which fostered a pre-existing relationship. Fitzpatrick had a scheduled official visit to Ohio State this weekend but Georgia quickly moved to make sure that Fitzpatrick is going to solidified in this recruiting class. Expect him to be one of the core players in this class and help Georgia to secure a top three signing class. Georgia has finished with a top three recruiting class every year since 2017. Although Fitzpatrick is shutting down his recruitment, things are never truly over until early signing day in December. Follow UGAWire on Instagram! This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia CB commit shuts down his recruitment, won't take more visits
