The Falcons got a harsh little preview on Friday night of what the post-Jake Matthews world could look like, and it wasn’t hard to see why the position is already on the radar for the future.
Matthews went down early with a minor injury and exited the game, forcing Atlanta to reshuffle on the fly. Mike Jerrell slid over to handle the blindside spot, while rookie Ethan Onianwa was pulled up from the sideline to take over at right tackle.
The change didn’t stabilize anything. Protection broke down, the run game never got going, and Atlanta’s preseason opener turned into a near-total offensive mess.
That’s why a head start on the eventual Matthews transition makes sense, and Bleacher Report is already mapping it out. In its new 2027 mock draft, B/R has the Falcons taking Texas tackle Trevor Goosby with the No. 8 overall pick.
“Goosby returned to school after a promising first year as the Longhorns ' starting left tackle,” B/R scout Brandon Thorn said. “As a 20-year-old redshirt freshman in 2025, he now holds the inside track to be the top blocker off the board. At 6'7" and 325 pounds, Goosby displays rare play-strength with elite length that combine to make him one of the country's most physically imposing linemen.”
The scouting report matches the buzz. Goosby has drawn strong grades for both run blocking and pass protection, and his size-athleticism combo gives him a massive ceiling. His 4.80 forty-yard dash time sits in the 99th percentile for his position.
Most of his snaps at Texas have come at left tackle, though he’s also worked on the other side, which could matter for Atlanta as the Falcons still haven’t found a proven successor to the now-retired Kaleb McGary.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said he doesn’t expect Matthews to miss any time, but the veteran left tackle did not practice Monday.
In Other News...
Falcons Just Changed The Edge Rush Market In A Big Way
The Falcons have already made one notable move on the edge, swooping in for ZaDarius Smith after the Browns had been in the mix. For Atlanta, its the kind of addition that changes the feel of a pass-rush conversation quickly, especially at a time when veteran help on the edge is still a hot topic around the league and teams are weighing how much to invest in immediate production versus longer-term planning.
Clevelands search now shifts into the next tier of options, with Joey Bosa and Haason Reddick among the names to watch as the market settles. The Browns are also being viewed through a 2026 lens, which makes every decision on the edge feel a little more complicated, and it leaves Atlantas win in this sweepstakes looking even more important as the rest of the picture continues to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Maason Smith Is Making Atlantas Most Debated Trade Look Smart
The Falcons made one of their more debated moves by sending defensive tackle Ruke Orhororo to Jacksonville for Maason Smith, and the early returns have given that swap a much different feel in Atlanta. Smith has looked like a better fit for the defensive scheme from the start, and his offseason work carried over into preseason action, where he drew positive remarks from the defensive line coach and showed up with a few notable plays in the opener.
For a team trying to sort out its front, that matters. Orhororo never really delivered the kind of impact Atlanta hoped for, while Smith has at least given the Falcons reason to believe the trade could pay off on the field rather than just on paper. There is still a long way to go before anyone declares a winner, but the direction of the deal is starting to look more favorable for Atlanta. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Face An Early Tua Test After Flat Offensive Debut
Tua Tagovailoas first outing with the Falcons did not give the offense much to build on, and the 27-7 loss to the Broncos only sharpened the focus on what comes next. Atlanta is already looking for cleaner execution under head coach Kevin Stefanski, and the early signs suggest Tagovailoa will need more time and more chances to settle in before anyone can judge the fit.
The preseason schedule does not offer much breathing room, with the Colts up next and another opportunity for Tagovailoa to show progress. Michael Penixs recovery from an ACL injury also keeps the quarterback picture in view, making these snaps matter a little more than they usually would this time of year. [Read more 🡒]