Tag: Chris Lindstrom

CBS Sports lowers the Falcons’ 2019 draft grade

CBS Sports lowered the Falcons’ draft grade from a B to a C- in a new feature revisiting the 2019 draft class.

The problem with handing out NFL draft grades is that they tend to age like milk. Whether it’s calling out a team for “reaching” on a young quarterback, or applauding another for finally addressing a long-neglected position, it’s always fun to look back and see how draft day proclamations have held up over time.

Generally, it takes about three years before you can make a fair assessment of a player transitioning to the professional game. CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco went back to the 2019 draft and revisited his initial grades for each team.

Prisco originally gave the Falcons a “B” for their 2019 class:

“They used their two first-round picks on offensive linemen, getting guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary. Both are starters, but the line struggled last season. Lindstrom has been the much better player. Only two of the remaining five picks are on the roster.”

While it’s clear Atlanta has a future star in Lindstrom, McGary has had an up-and-down couple of seasons at right tackle. The team recently picked up Lindstrom’s fifth-year option and declined McGary’s, meaning 2022 is officially a contract year for the former Washington standout.

Prisco dropped the Falcons down to a “C-” in his updated batch of grades.

“I liked Lindstrom, and he’s coming off his best season. I questioned going back into the first round to take McGary, and they didn’t pick up his fifth-year option. That means I was right. I liked running back Qadree Ollison in the fifth and he is a backup. New Grade: C-.”

McGary has some competition at right tackle this season after the Falcons signed both Germain Ifedi and Elijah Wilkinson in free agency.

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Falcons exercising Lindstrom’s 5th-year option, won’t pick up McGary

According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday, the Falcons will pick up Lindstrom’s fifth-year option.

The Atlanta Falcons drafted Chris Lindstrom in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft three seasons ago, and it appears the former Boston College standout will be sticking around through 2023 at the very least.

According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday, the Falcons will pick up Lindstrom’s fifth-year option.

Lindstrom has been stellar over the last three seasons, progressing each year. In 2021, he earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 83.7, and run-blocking grade of 87.6.

The Falcons will not be picking up right tackle Kaleb McGary’s fifth-year option, Fowler has since reported.

Check out out latest offensive lineup projections for the team following the 2022 NFL draft.

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Chris Lindstrom ranked PFF’s No. 12 offensive guard

Pro Football Focus noted Chris Lindstrom’s progress last season in their in top 32 offensive guard rankings.

The Atlanta Falcons took a big swing at rebuilding their offensive line back in 2019, selecting two linemen in the first round of the draft and signing both Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to lucrative contracts.

Former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn had a vision to replenish the run game and establish a more balanced offensive attack, but it never came together. Atlanta brought in Arthur Smith to run a more innovative, efficient system that can control the ball. One player Smith will look to help reestablish the ground game is right guard Chris Lindstrom.

Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson noted Lindstrom’s progress last season in his offensive guard rankings. The former Boston College standout came in at No. 12 overall at his position.

“A former first-round pick, Lindstrom was notably better in Year 2 than he was as a rookie, and another jump this year could see him become one of the very best in the game. Both his run- and pass-blocking grades took a jump in his sophomore year, topping 70.0 for the first time. His pass-blocking efficiency was better, too, as his 97.6 mark was up from the 96.4 he put up as a rookie.”

Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts was PFF’s top-rated guard, followed by Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys, Joe Thuney of the Kansas City Chiefs, Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns and Washington’s Brandon Scherff.

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Chris Lindstrom ranked PFF’s No. 12 offensive guard

Pro Football Focus noted Chris Lindstrom’s progress last season in their in top 32 offensive guard rankings.

The Atlanta Falcons took a big swing at rebuilding their offensive line back in 2019, selecting two linemen in the first round of the draft and signing both Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to lucrative contracts.

Former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn had a vision to replenish the run game and establish a more balanced offensive attack, but it never came together. Atlanta brought in Arthur Smith to run a more innovative, efficient system that can control the ball. One player Smith will look to help reestablish the ground game is right guard Chris Lindstrom.

Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson noted Lindstrom’s progress last season in his offensive guard rankings. The former Boston College standout came in at No. 12 overall at his position.

“A former first-round pick, Lindstrom was notably better in Year 2 than he was as a rookie, and another jump this year could see him become one of the very best in the game. Both his run- and pass-blocking grades took a jump in his sophomore year, topping 70.0 for the first time. His pass-blocking efficiency was better, too, as his 97.6 mark was up from the 96.4 he put up as a rookie.”

Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts was PFF’s top-rated guard, followed by Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys, Joe Thuney of the Kansas City Chiefs, Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns and Washington’s Brandon Scherff.

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Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom makes PFF’s top 25 players under 25 list

After being omitted from Pro Football Focus’ top 25 players under 25 list in 2020, the Atlanta Falcons just barely made this year’s cut.

After being omitted from Pro Football Focus’ top 25 players under 25 list in 2020, the Atlanta Falcons just barely made this year’s cut. Right guard Chris Lindstrom was the team’s lone representative, coming in at No. 25. The former Boston College standout was one of two offensive linemen selected by Atlanta in the first round of 2019 draft, along with right tackle Kaleb McGary.

PFF’s Sam Monson credited Lindstrom for “major improvement” during his second year starting.

“His rookie season was solid enough, but Year 2 saw a major improvement from the former first-round pick in Atlanta. He elevated his PFF grades to north of 70.0 in all areas of the game, allowing 29 total pressures across 724 pass-blocking snaps. Lindstrom always had legitimate talent, and offensive linemen often show their best play in Year 3, so 2021 could be his year.”

Lindstrom comes in as the fifth-best offensive lineman on the list. Tristian Wirfs, Michael Onwenu, Mekhi Becton and Isaiah Wynn were all ranked ahead of the Falcons guard. Of the five offensive linemen selected, Lindstrom allowed the third-lowest pressure rate at four percent.

For Atlanta to be successful in 2021, Lindstrom is going to need a breakout performance. Matt Ryan has been sacked 30 or more times every season since 2012. Lindstrom spoke on what it’s like to have Arthur Smith, a former offensive lineman, as a head coach and feels it’s a great addition.

“We’re always grateful to have an offensive lineman as a head coach,” Lindstrom said.  “I had one in college, too and it was great. Coach Smith really thinks in the mindset of an offensive lineman, he means what he says, and as a player, you can’t expect anything else than that.”

Smith played offensive line for the University of North Carolina from 2001 to 2005, eventually becoming a graduate assistant at the school once his playing days ended.

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Dan Quinn says Kaleb McGary, Chris Lindstrom are off to a good start

The Falcons made a big investment into their offensive line last year, drafting both Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 draft.

The Falcons made a big investment into their offensive line last year, drafting both Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 draft.

Entering 2020, the team needs its sophomore linemen to take another step forward with Atlanta in playoffs-or-bust mode. According to head coach Dan Quinn, both players are off to a good start in training camp, as tweeted by Falcons reporter Kelsey Conway below.

The Falcons had an awful year protecting quarterback Matt Ryan, and were even worse rushing the ball. The team averaged an abysmal 85.1 yards per game on the ground. Down the stretch, however, Lindstrom’s return from a broken foot gave Atlanta’s offensive line a noticeable boost.

Check out this breakdown of Lindstrom’s late-season play by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.

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WATCH: Chris Lindstrom earns high praise in film breakdown

The Atlanta Falcons had to wait until late in the season to see what they had in first-round pick Chris Lindstrom after the rookie offensive lineman broke his foot during a Week 1 loss to the Vikings.

The Atlanta Falcons had to wait until late in the season to see what they had in first-round pick Chris Lindstrom after the rookie offensive lineman broke his foot during a Week 1 loss to the Vikings.

Lindstrom was out until the team’s Week 14 matchup with the Panthers. Once he returned, though, it was clear what general manager Thomas Dimitroff saw in the powerful guard out of Boston College.

Over the final four games of 2019, Lindstrom’s presence gave the running game some punch. His return also seemed to have a positive effect on fellow rookie lineman Kaleb McGary, whom Atlanta also selected in the first round. 

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger loves great offensive line play, and was highly impressed by what he saw out of Lindstrom during Weeks 14-17. Check out the breakdown Baldinger shared of the Falcons starting right guard on Twitter below:

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Dan Quinn believes McGary, Lindstrom will ‘take a huge step’ in 2020

Quinn highlighted Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Russell Gage as players he thinks will make significant progress next year.

The Atlanta Falcons have a lot riding on next season. After two disappointing finishes, owner Arthur Blank elected to retain GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn. To validate Blank’s trust, the team must get back on the playoffs in 2020.

Speaking with Falcons reporter Matthew Tabeek, Quinn laid out his expectations for some of Atlanta’s younger players. He highlighted Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Russell Gage as players he thinks will make significant progress next year.

“I’m very excited to see the development at both right guard and right tackle with McGary and Lindstrom,” said Quinn. “I think these guys are going to take a huge step going into year two.”

Watch the entire five-minute interview below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account:

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Falcons’ 2019 draft class gets B- in NFL’s rookie grades

The Atlanta Falcons had a plan to rebuild their offensive line last offseason, signing Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to lucrative deals in free agency and selecting two offensive linemen in the draft.

The Atlanta Falcons had a plan to rebuild their offensive line last offseason, signing Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to lucrative deals in free agency and selecting two offensive linemen in the draft.

Both Brown and Carpenter struggled in 2019 and aren’t a part of the team’s long-term rebuild up front. Rookies Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom finished the season strong, however, and the Falcons won six of their final eight games.

Nick Shook of NFL.com gave the group a B- in his NFC South draft grades. Here’s some of what he wrote below:

McGary was available all season, but he finished 90th in pass blocking and 74th in run blocking, per Pro Football Focus. Lindstrom was lost for much of the season due to injury, leaving his evaluation incomplete. Sheffield earned a sub-50 grade in pass coverage from PFF, but he was statistically effective, recording 46 tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble in 16 games. Cominsky was effective per PFF, finishing 23rd in overall defensive grade among edge rushers despite not racking up a ton of traditional stats. Ollison didn’t make much of an impact, while Miller spent the majority of his season on special teams.

McGary did struggle early in the season, but the entire offesnive line was awful over the team’s first eight games. When Lindstrom returned from injury, he played well at right guard and made McGary look considerably more comfortable at right tackle.

Outside of the two linemen drafted in round one, defensive back Kendall Sheffield played well when forced into action due to injuries in Atlanta’s secondary. Defensive end John Cominsky was solid as a depth addition that should have a chance to compete for more snaps in 2020 and beyond.

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Falcons coach Dan Quinn comments on Chris Lindstrom’s injury status

Falcons rookie guard Chris Lindstrom broke his foot in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Ten weeks later, he’s still on the injured reserve list.

Falcons rookie guard Chris Lindstrom broke his foot in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Ten weeks later, he’s still on the injured reserve list.

Head coach Dan Quinn gave an update on Lindstrom’s status Monday, per team reporter William McFadden:

Quinn would also comment on tight end Austin Hooper and running back Devonta Freeman, saying they are both likely to miss Wednesday’s practice at the very least:

Hooper was initially reported to be out about a month with an MCL sprain, but Quinn disputed this claim. Freeman, meanwhile, has an injured foot that kept him sidelined on Sunday.

We shall see how much time these two offensive starters wind up missing. The Falcons managed just fine without them during their Week 11 win over the Panthers due to another dominant defensive performance.

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