It was surprising to some, including myself, that the Atlanta Falcons decided not to go after defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, but general manager Thomas Dimitroff and the rest of the front office look to have made the right decision by drafting offensive tackle Jake Matthews with the 6th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. The Texas A&M alumni will be looking to protect quarterback Matt Ryan for many years to come.
It’s not shocking that Matthews ran a 5.07 (seconds) 40-yard dash time considering that he is an enormous man. Matthews is 6 ft 5 in and 308 lbs and will be able to overpower almost any defensive lineman in the NFL. He also has an arm length of 33 3/8 in and a hand size of 9 7/8 in.
Playing in the NFL is starting to become a tradition for the Matthews family. Jake Matthews is the son of Bruce Matthews, who has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His uncle Clay Matthews Sr. played a long career in the NFL, including a few years with the Falcons. He has a cousin named Clay Matthews Jr., who has been selected to a few Pro Bowls while playing in Green Bay. The last of which is his other cousin Casey Matthews, who players for the Eagles.
“How about the lineage,” asked NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. “His dad is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His uncle Clay (Matthews) had a long career. His cousin Clay plays for the Packers. His other cousin Casey plays for the Eagles. This kid is special. He’s a technician, and I believe they are going to play him at right tackle in Season 1. His pass pro is so simple … he’s not a grabber. He’s going to help Atlanta on Day 1.”
Career accolades and achievements:
The Falcons looked to have many options going into the draft on Thursday, but with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, offensive tackle Greg Robinson, and linebacker Khalil Mack having already been selected earlier that day, Matthews was the only solid choice for Atlanta other than linebacker Anthony Barr, who is described by some including myself as a ‘dirty player.’ It ultimately came down to talent over need even though the Falcons needed an offensive tackle quite a bit.
If not for having selected Matthews, here are a few players they could have traded up to get:
Unless something out of the ordinary happens, Matthews will start for the Falcons at the right tackle spot when he season comes. The spot originally belonged to Mike Johnson, who was injured before the season started. The starting job was then given to Lamar Holmes. Being the sixth overall pick and the second offensive lineman taken on Thursday, Matthews will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but it is his decision whether it will devour him or if he will conquer it and rise up to the occasion.
It’s not shocking that Matthews ran a 5.07 (seconds) 40-yard dash time considering that he is an enormous man. Matthews is 6 ft 5 in and 308 lbs and will be able to overpower almost any defensive lineman in the NFL. He also has an arm length of 33 3/8 in and a hand size of 9 7/8 in.
Playing in the NFL is starting to become a tradition for the Matthews family. Jake Matthews is the son of Bruce Matthews, who has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His uncle Clay Matthews Sr. played a long career in the NFL, including a few years with the Falcons. He has a cousin named Clay Matthews Jr., who has been selected to a few Pro Bowls while playing in Green Bay. The last of which is his other cousin Casey Matthews, who players for the Eagles.
“How about the lineage,” asked NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. “His dad is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His uncle Clay (Matthews) had a long career. His cousin Clay plays for the Packers. His other cousin Casey plays for the Eagles. This kid is special. He’s a technician, and I believe they are going to play him at right tackle in Season 1. His pass pro is so simple … he’s not a grabber. He’s going to help Atlanta on Day 1.”
Career accolades and achievements:
- USA Today High School All-American (2009)
- Parade & Super Prep High School All-American (2009)
- First-team All-SEC (2012, 2013)
- First-team All-American (2012)
The Falcons looked to have many options going into the draft on Thursday, but with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, offensive tackle Greg Robinson, and linebacker Khalil Mack having already been selected earlier that day, Matthews was the only solid choice for Atlanta other than linebacker Anthony Barr, who is described by some including myself as a ‘dirty player.’ It ultimately came down to talent over need even though the Falcons needed an offensive tackle quite a bit.
If not for having selected Matthews, here are a few players they could have traded up to get:
- DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
- LB Khalil Mack (Buffalo)
- OT Greg Robinson (Auburn)
Unless something out of the ordinary happens, Matthews will start for the Falcons at the right tackle spot when he season comes. The spot originally belonged to Mike Johnson, who was injured before the season started. The starting job was then given to Lamar Holmes. Being the sixth overall pick and the second offensive lineman taken on Thursday, Matthews will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but it is his decision whether it will devour him or if he will conquer it and rise up to the occasion.