The Falcons already featured a ton of weak spots on their team in 2022, and they added one this offseason when they decided against franchise tagging Kaleb McGary, which would have paid him over $18 million in 2023. The Falcons can still work out a contract extension with Kaleb McGary before March 15th, but it seems highly likely their starting right tackle will test the open waters of free agency following a career-best season in a contract year.
In a weak free agent class for right tackles, McGary will be coveted, and NFL insider Tom Pelissero believes he’s set to get paid in a big way this offseason.
The going rate for top RTs these days is $15 million to $19 million a year, and it won’t be a surprise if Taylor lands on the high end of that range after starting all 68 games (including the playoffs) since he joined the Jaguars as a second-round pick in the 2019 draft. Per PFF, Taylor allowed a 2.5 percent pressure rate last season (third-lowest among tackles with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps) and posted a 98.4 pass-blocking efficiency grade (fifth-best). McGary also could land in that price range, benefiting from the Falcons’ decision to decline his fifth-year option last year. Per PFF, McGary earned a 91.6 run-blocking grade last season (second among tackles) and was also effective in pass protection, allowing a 3.9 percent pressure rate. Another name to watch is McGlinchey, the No. 9 overall pick in 2018 who returned from a season-ending torn quadriceps in 2021 to start all 20 games (including playoffs) for the 49ers last season. On PFF’s charts, McGlinchey recorded a 5.1 percent pressure rate and a 96.9 pass-blocking efficiency grade last season, both career bests in a season with at last 300 pass-blocking snaps.
I would like to have McGary back, and I imagine the Falcons feel the same way. He struggled in his first three years as a pro, but he was one of the better right tackles in 2023, especially when it comes to run blocking, which is such a vital part of Arthur Smith’s offense.
With that being said, $15-19 million might be a little rich. Progression in the NFL is rarely linear. There’s a chance McGary regresses a bit, which would make his next contract a regretful one for whoever hands him the bag. At that price point, I don’t think the Falcons will re-sign him. They likely would look to add a veteran at the position and draft a younger player, hoping they can develop him like they did with McGary over the last two seasons.
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