The Atlanta Falcons have completely overhauled their offensive line during the offseason, adding a pair of high-priced interior linemen in free agency and selecting two offensive linemen during the first round of the NFL Draft. Needless to say, competition at the position leading up to the 2019 season is poised to be heated given the talent Atlanta suddenly boasts up front.
If Dan Quinn's first assessment of Chris Lindstrom at rookie mini-camp is any indication of things to come, though, don't be surprised if the rookie starts for the Falcons this season.
“What I saw from him right away, which I expected from the tape and sometimes that confirms it, is the quickness and the urgency he has when he really gets off the ball,” the Falcons coach said of Lindstrom, per Jason Butt of The Athletic.
Atlanta took Lindstrom with the No. 14 overall pick of the draft. A four-year starter at Boston College, he showed out at the NFL Combine in February by running a 4.91 40-yard dash – the second-fastest among all offensive linemen in Indianapolis – and also performed well in the vertical jump and broad jump.
At 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, Chris Lindstrom lacks the natural girth of many interior linemen but makes up for it with length and athleticism. It will be especially interesting to watch how he compares to James Carpenter and Jamon Brown, Atlanta's free-agent signings, throughout offseason activities. In March, general manager Thomas Dimitroff seemed to suggest size would play a role in deciding the Falcons' starters on the offensive line, expressing excitement about the team adding “two big dudes” up front.
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