Falcons QB Matt Ryan glad Falcons used early picks for O-line

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, left, and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward during a game last October in Pittsburgh.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, left, and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward during a game last October in Pittsburgh.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff received a text message from Matt Ryan during the NFL draft.

The team's veteran starting quarterback obviously approved of Atlanta's first-round selections of two offensive linemen on Thursday night.

Dimitroff said the message was brief: "Thanks. Just thanks and wow."

For Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn, the top priority of the offseason was to build a better O-line after Ryan was sacked 42 times last season, the second-highest total of his career. He was hit 113 times, third-most among league quarterbacks in 2018.

Dimitroff's first pick was guard Chris Lindstrom of Boston College. He then traded away the Falcons' second- and third-round picks to add tackle Kaleb McGary of Washington late in the first round.

An improved line also would be key to the team's hopes of boosting the running game, which sagged last season.

"Make no mistake about it, we knew what we needed to do in this offseason," Dimitroff said, "and that was to continue to fortify Matt and the offensive line."

Lindstrom (6-foot-4, 308 pounds) and McGary (6-7, 317) could form a new starting tandem on the right side. Either way, they will prove crucial to how this draft will be remembered for the Falcons.

"It may not have been shiny, but I don't think grit is real shiny," Quinn said regarding his first-round strategy. "I'm real thrilled they'll be part of this group for a long time."

After a quiet Friday with no picks to make and - surprisingly - no trades pulled off, Dimitroff addressed other needs Saturday afternoon, when the draft's final four rounds were held. Cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield (5-11, 193) of Ohio State and Jordan Miller (6-1, 186) of Washington, defensive end John Cominsky (6-5, 286) of Charleston and running back Qadree Ollison (6-1, 228) of Pittsburgh were picked to bolster areas of pressing concern for the Falcons.

The team's final pick, running back Marcus Green (5-8, 190) of Louisiana-Monroe, may make an immediate contribution as a return specialist. The versatile Green was primarily a wide receiver in college, but the Falcons are intrigued by his big-play potential out of the backfield and on returns.

Dimitroff may have gambled on some high-upside picks, including Cominsky, who was an option quarterback in high school before gaining 70 pounds in college. Ollison, a power runner, had inconsistent production at Pittsburgh.

However, it will be judged as a successful draft if Lindstrom and McGary win starting jobs, Ollison can be a complementary running back with incumbent starter Devonta Freeman and Cominsky and Sheffield win roster spots and contribute on special teams. Cominsky or Green might even develop into long-term surprises of the draft class.

While Dimitroff was successful in filling needs, there may be room for more help on the defensive line, at linebacker and perhaps at running back from undrafted free agents.

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