The Falcons’ offensive line was far from a strength last season, despite investing considerable offseason resources into rebuilding it. One area that hasn’t been an issue, though, is the center position.
Alex Mack signed with the Falcons in 2016, prior to the team’s Super Bowl run, and has been a model of stability ever since. He may not have many years left in the NFL, but Mack continues to play at an elite level.
The 34-year-old is entering the last year of his five-year contract in 2020. According to the writers over at Touchdown Wire, Mack is still among the best in the NFL at his position.
In Doug Farrar’s 11 best centers feature, Mack came in at No. 5. Here’s what he had to say about Atlanta’s Pro-Bowl lineman.
Mack will turn 35 in November, making him the oldest player on this list, but there’s nothing about his game that suggests he’s ready to pack it in anytime soon. In 2019, he had the most regular-season pass-blocking reps of any center in the NFL with 805, and he allowed two sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 19 quarterback hurries in all those snaps.
And as a run-blocker… well, last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats, Atlanta running back Devonta Freeman was the league’s worst when it came to Rushing Yards Over Expectation, while the Falcons finished fourth overall.
The Falcons drafted guard/center Matt Hennessy out of Temple in the the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Hennessy may eventually replace Mack at center but this season, he will compete for the left guard job.
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