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Atlanta Falcons: 5 offseason needs

By John Buhler

Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) scores on a 64-yard catch in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) scores on a 64-yard catch in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Chester (65) is introduced before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Chester (65) is introduced before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Starting-level guard

While inexperience on defense was a season-long issue, the Falcons’ biggest area of weakness last season was honestly guard. Not to say that Chris Chester and Andy Levitre were bad. They weren’t, as the Falcons had a top-10 offensive line in football. However, it is a group that Dimitroff needs to seriously look at this offseason.

Levitre is still under contract, but Chester and Atlanta’s No. 6 offensive lineman Ben Garland are hitting free agency. Chester contemplated retirement last offseason, but opted to come back to Atlanta for another season. Getting to the Super Bowl certainly made it worth his time and effort.

However, Shanahan’s departure for the Bay Area may signify the end of Chester’s time in Atlanta. Not to say he’ll follow Shanahan to the 49ers, but he was a big reason Chester initially signed with the Falcons in 2015.

There are a handful of great guards hitting free agency including T.J. Lang of the Green Bay Packers, Ronald Leary of the Dallas Cowboys, and Kevin Zeitler of the Cincinnati Bengals. Atlanta should look to court one of those three, but maybe use a mid-level draft pick on a guard prospect as well.

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