PFF names their franchise tag candidate for the Falcons

McGary would cost the Falcons $18.244 million on a one-year tag. It’s likely it would cost the Falcons less to iron out an extension, but there’s some risk. McGary is coming off of one good season, and while I don’t think it was a fluke, an extension could turn out to be a disaster if he regresses back to the player he was throughout his first three seasons in Atlanta. Here’s what PFF had to say:

ATLANTA FALCONS: OT KALEB MCGARY ($18,244,000)

2022 Player WAR/Rank: 0.26 (12th)

Atlanta recently extended left tackle Jake Matthews and will have to earmark major money for their other 2019 first-round pick on the offensive line, right guard Chris Lindstrom, in the near future. What could have been a $13,202,000 fifth-year option in 2023 for McGary now would have to be $5 million more than that, or McGary will test the open market.

McGary’s 91.2 run-blocking grade in 2022 ranked second among tackles, and his 89.1 mark on outside zone runs ranked sixth. His deficiencies as a pass protector, however, could make the Falcons balk at this franchise tag value.

Hindsight is 20/20 when talking about McGary’s fifth-year option. No way that was getting exercised last offseason. The Falcons finally had some secure offensive line play in 2022, and letting McGary walk is a huge risk, especially with few good options on the market. I think both sides should be interested in getting an extension done, but the tag is a good “break glass in case of emergency” option.