The Atlanta Falcons continue to search for ways to enhance their offensive line.
As ESPN Insider Field Yates reported, the team had free-agent tackle Joe Barksdale in for a workout on Monday, although Barksdale did not immediately sign. The St. Louis Rams expressed an interest in bringing back Barksdale, last year's starting right tackle, but that might not happen.
The Falcons are also one of probably 32 teams waiting to see what happens with LSU undrafted rookie tackle La'el Collins, who met with police Monday about the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend but is not a suspect. Collins was expected to be drafted in the first round.
"I think when you look at any of the players that are up there that have talent, you consider [them]," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said when asked if he eyed drafting Collins. "I would prefer not to go into the specifics of our discussion. Suffice to say, there's no question that we always look and consider those players, and always try to determine whether they are right for our system or not. We obviously didn't bring [Collins] in here right now. I'll be interested to track that. I just think everyone in the league is going to be interested to track how that all plays out."
A change in philosophy has the Falcons looking for more athleticism along the line. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan desires offensive linemen capable of running in his outside-zone blocking scheme. Such change is the reason why the Falcons released veteran left guard Justin Blalock, a stout pass-protector not known for his ability to get out and run.
The Falcons have a handful of linemen still recovering from surgeries: starting left tackle Jake Matthews (Lisfranc), starting center Joe Hawley (ACL, MCL), offensive tackle Sam Baker (knee) and guard/center Peter Konz (ACL). With those injuries, the team went with a slimmed down Lamar Holmes at left tackle, newcomer Mike Person at left guard, James Stone at center, Jon Asamoah at right guard and Ryan Schraeder at right tackle during last week's voluntary minicamp.
Once everyone is healthy, it will be interesting to see how the battle at left guard pans out, with Stone possibly the lead candidate over Person since Hawley is expected back at center. Harland Gunn and Konz also might get looks at left guard.
Baker's status remains a mystery since Matthews is now the team's left tackle. And if Holmes' improved physique is any indication of how motivated he is this season, he could push Schraeder at right tackle, provided the Falcons don't sign Barksdale or Collins.
"We continue to believe that this offensive line has some really good football players, some upside that fit the scheme that we're going with," Dimitroff said. "We are encouraged by that, for sure. A lot of our guys are healing up very well and things are going to work out well that way."
The Falcons drafted Eastern Washington's Jake Rodgers in the seventh round to get a look at both tackle spots. Another player to keep an eye on is 6-foot-3, 305-pound undrafted center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke from New Mexico State. He'll be one of the players participating in the team's rookie minicamp starting Friday.
