The Falcons are being pushed toward the trenches in SI’s latest 2027 NFL mock draft, and the fit starts with Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta was projected to take Kentucky offensive tackle Lance Heard at No. 13 overall, a move aimed at keeping the pocket clean for a quarterback who has looked sharp when he’s protected. The Falcons have already put real work into the line, extending left guard Matthew Bergeron this offseason and still having Pro Bowl right guard Chris Lindstrom under contract for two more years. Jake Matthews has anchored left tackle since 2014, but Atlanta also has to think ahead there, especially after Kaleb McGary’s surprise retirement back in April showed how quickly things can change.
Penix’s success this season has come when he’s had time to operate, and the Sunday loss to the Buccaneers was another reminder of what happens when that doesn’t happen. In SI’s mock, Justin Melo wrote: "Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Bill Callahan will have a say if the organization drafts an offensive tackle.
He'll love Kentucky's Lance Heard, who fits his mold from a size and physicality perspective. This is all about getting a Jake Matthews replacement."
Heard is starting to show up more often in mock drafts as the season progresses, and Atlanta’s need isn’t limited to the left side. The Falcons could also be looking at right tackle, with Jawaan Taylor set to hit free agency next year. Taylor has been uneven, but he was still the best option available for a team short on cap space and draft capital.
That financial picture looks very different in 2027. According to Over The Cap, Atlanta is projected to have more than $109 million in cap space this offseason, giving general manager Ian Cunningham and president of football Matt Ryan plenty of room to work.
Another name worth watching up front is center Ryan Neuzil. The former undrafted free agent has grown into an above-average starter and is due for a new contract.
In Other News...
Falcons Injury Update Puts Focus On James Pearce At Last
The Falcons settled into Madrid on Wednesday and got their first walkthrough of Week 9 against the Bengals, with the trip carrying a little extra attention because of the injury report. James Pearce Jr. finally took part in a full practice for the first time this season after serving his suspension, a notable step for a defense that has been waiting to see what the edge rusher can add once he is cleared for game action.
Atlanta also had a few moving parts elsewhere on the report, with Zachariah Branch ruled out because of a hamstring injury and several others limited. For a team trying to keep the week clean in an unusual setting, the bigger question now is how quickly Pearce can slide into the mix and what kind of role he can handle once the Falcons get to game day. [Read more 🡒]
Jahan Dotson Is Giving Falcons Fans Real Hope After Rough Loss
Jahan Dotson has quickly become one of the more encouraging pieces in Atlantas offense since signing his two-year deal, giving the Falcons a legitimate deep threat to pair with the rest of their skill talent. Through eight weeks, he has been one of the leagues most explosive receivers on a per-catch basis, and his latest outing showed why the team believes he can stretch defenses in ways that change how opponents have to play them.
Even in a Week 8 loss, Dotson turned in his best receiving day in nearly three years, a reminder that the Falcons may have found a useful answer on the outside after moving on from other options at the position. For a team still trying to find more consistency, his ability to threaten downfield has offered a real bright spot, and it has only added to the sense that Atlantas passing game may have another layer it can lean on as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Get A Huge Week 9 Opportunity In Baltimore
The Falcons head into their Week 9 matchup with Cincinnati carrying a fresh chance to steady themselves after a rough outing against Tampa Bay in Week 8. Even in a week that has plenty of attention on the Jaguars opportunity in Baltimore, Atlantas game has its own intrigue because the Bengals have been uneven enough to make this one feel more open than the records might suggest.
For Atlanta, the appeal is simple: a bounce-back spot against a team that has not looked fully settled, and a chance to show the loss to Tampa Bay was more of a stumble than a trend. The game also comes with a little extra edge because it is part of a broader Week 9 slate full of strange quarterback situations and upset possibilities, which makes the Falcons one of the more interesting teams to watch as the weekend unfolds. [Read more 🡒]