The Atlanta Falcons took a big swing to stabilize the right side of their offensive line during the 2019 NFL Draft, selecting both Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first round. This duo played a critical role in helping turn one of the worst offensive lines in the league into one of the NFL's best.
However, McGary missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury and then opted to retire back in April. Elijah Wilkinson filled in for McGary last year but signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. So without a clear replacement on the roster, Atlanta signed free-agent right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
Even though many have Taylor penciled in as the starter, it's not clear as it might seem on paper. The Falcons acquired offensive tackle
Wanya Morris in a trade with the Chiefs to provide depth as Taylor battles an injury. Both Taylor and Morris have starting experience from their time in Kansas City.
ESPN's Marc Raimondi highlighted Atlanta's right tackle competition as one of three key position battles to watch in training camp.
"The Falcons signed right tackle Jawaan Taylor from the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason and also acquired his former Chiefs teammate Wanya Morris in a trade," wrote Raimondi. "Taylor has been rehabbing an injury this spring and has not practiced. Michael Jerrell has been getting first-team reps. The job is likely Taylor's to lose, but he has had issues with false starts, as well."
Atlanta traded for Jerrell last season after McGary went down in training camp, but he has just three games of starting experience from his rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024.
As Raimondi concluded, it all comes down to Taylor's health status. The former second-round pick received a one-year, $5 million contract to sign with the Falcons following McGary's retirement, and those look like starter numbers on Atlanta's budget.
The Falcons rookies report to training camp on Friday, and the veterans will follow on Tuesday, July 28.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN highlights underrated Falcons training camp battle
