The Falcons invested in their offensive line in recent offseasons, and they continued to solidify their front five on Monday.
Atlanta has agreed with right tackle Ryan Schraeder on a five-year extension, the team announced. The extension is worth a maximum of $33 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Schraeder's deal includes a base value of $32 million, with $19.5 million of it due over three years and $12.5 million guaranteed, Rapoport added.
The Falcons have slowly constructed one of the better offensive lines in the NFL over the last three years, drafting offensive tackle Jake Matthews in the first round of the 2014 draft and signing center Alex Mack away from the Cleveland Browns in 2016 on a five-year contract that was fully guaranteed in the first two years of the deal. It's resulted in Atlanta ranking in the upper half of the league in rushing, and among the top five in total offense.
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State in 2013, Schraeder has started in 40 of the 52 games in which he's appeared, including every game in the last two seasons, according to the team. The Falcons are reaping the benefits of a line they've pieced together in the last four years, evident in their potent offense that has them perched atop the NFC South.
