The Falcons’ offensive line is already in a pretty good place, but the clock is ticking on how long that stays true. Jake Matthews is moving toward the back end of his career, and both Jawaan Taylor and Ryan Neuzil are set to hit free agency in 2027. That makes the position group one of the more obvious places for Atlanta to spend early in next year’s draft.
That’s where Pro Football Network analyst Jacob Infante has the Falcons turning in his latest 2027 mock draft, with Kentucky offensive tackle Lance Heard landing in Atlanta.
Infante sees Heard as the kind of tone-setter teams chase up front. In his view, the former Tennessee transfer brings a nasty edge to the position, along with the kind of power and physicality that jump off the tape. He also noted that Heard has taken another step this season at Kentucky.
"After the retirement of Kaleb McGary, the Atlanta Falcons pivoted to sign Jawaan Taylor as their new starting right tackle. However, he’s had a rocky NFL career, and left tackle Jake Matthews will be 35 years old in February. The Falcons will eventually need to invest in a long-term option at one of their starting tackle spots.
An argument can be made that Lance Heard is the nastiest offensive lineman in the 2027 NFL Draft. I liked his tape at Tennessee, where you could see his elite play strength and physicality on display.
This year at Kentucky, though, he’s shown much improved body control and weight distribution. The more I watch him, the more sold I am on him as a first-round prospect." - Jacob Infante, PFSN
There’s a case for Atlanta to keep both Taylor and Neuzil around, though. Neuzil has grown into a dependable starter, and Taylor still gives the team a workable option at right tackle.
The bigger picture for the Falcons is that their first draft class under general manager Ian Cunningham is already making noise. Rookie Kendal Daniels, a fourth-round pick from Oklahoma, made two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Harold Perkins, another Day 3 addition, also looks like a future starter. The LSU sixth-rounder might be drawing more attention if Daniels weren’t delivering at such a high level. If Atlanta keeps striking on picks like that in 2027, the roster could be on a fast track toward becoming one of the league’s best.
In Other News...
Jessie Bates Is Closing In On Rare Falcons History
Jessie Bates III keeps finding ways to tilt games in Atlantas favor, and his latest showing against the 49ers was another reminder of how valuable he has become to the Falcons defense. He came away with an interception and then helped finish off the game with a forced fumble, the kind of all-around impact that has made him one of the steadiest playmakers on the roster this season.
The performance also pushed Bates closer to rare NFL history, adding to a career pattern of game-changing outings that has become more common than his Pro Bowl rsum might suggest. He remains one of the leagues better safeties by the numbers as well, sitting near the top of the position group in PFF grading, which only adds to the case that his impact in Atlanta has been bigger than the accolades have shown. [Read more 🡒]
Arthur Blank Just Entered A Debate Falcons Fans Didn't Expect
Arthur Blank has never been shy about putting his money into political causes, but his latest campaign-cycle giving has drawn attention for a reason that goes beyond the usual owner-fan divide. The Falcons owner donated to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs reelection campaign and also wrote a larger check to Democratic efforts in the Senate races, a move that stands out in a league where most owners have traditionally leaned the other way.
Blanks donations are especially notable because they span both sides of the aisle, including a contribution to former Falcons kicker Jay Feely, who is now running as a Republican in Arizona. For Atlanta fans, it is another reminder that Blank tends to follow his own lane, even when it puts him into conversations NFL ownership usually tries to avoid. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Rookies Just Made Divine Deablos Future A Real Question
Divine Deablos season has already taken a turn the Falcons did not want to see, with injuries and uneven play sending the linebacker to injured reserve. For a defense that has tried to sort out its identity all year, the bigger issue now is what his absence has revealed: Atlanta has found younger options who are not just filling snaps, but making a real case to stay in the mix.
Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. have both flashed enough in Deablos place to make the roster conversation more complicated for the front office. With those rookies giving the Falcons production and flexibility, Deablos future in Atlanta looks increasingly uncertain, especially if the team decides its money is better spent elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]