Falcons OG Chris Lindstrom praised by NFL coaches, scouts

The Atlanta Falcons attempted to rebuild their offensive line during the 2019 offseason. Despite a few misfires in free agency, the team selected guard Chris Lindstrom and offensive tackle Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft and both players have developed nicely.

Lindstrom has really shined over the last few years, earning two second-team All-Pro selections and two trips to the Pro Bowl. The former Boston College standout signed a five-year, $105 million extension with the team in 2023.

While the Falcons believed in Lindstrom enough to make him one of the league’s highest-paid offensive linemen, what does the rest of the NFL think? Lindstrom received high praise from coaches and scouts in a new feature by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

A group of league execs ranked Lindstrom as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the NFL entering 2024:

“He’s slightly better than the field as a run blocker,” an NFL defensive line coach said. “I’d probably put him up against anyone there. And he’s improved enough as a pass blocker that he’s solid there.”

With other stars aging or declining, Lindstrom capitalized on a weaker field to jump six spots over last year. While he failed to appear on every ballot, his percentage of top-two votes (44%) was impressive.

“We’ve had him No. 1 for a few years now,” an AFC exec said. Added an NFC executive: “He was paid a lot because team had to take care of him — no real negatives here, just not elite in my opinion.” — ESPN

There is no denying Lindstrom’s dominance as a run blocker, but he truly has improved as a pass blocker since entering the league in 2019. At this point, it’s hard to knock anything about Lindstrom’s game.

The consistency he shows each week has helped the team develop an identity behind a dominant rushing attack. The Falcons are hoping the addition of Kirk Cousins will pay off with a more balanced offensive unit in 2024.