Bengals, Falcons headline PFF’s list of most improved O-lines after NFL draft

The 2019 NFL draft class didn’t feature many blue-chip offensive line prospects and none came off the board in the top 10 picks. But a few teams ended the draft making a big improvement up front.

Alabama’s Jonah Williams was the first offensive tackle selected when the Bengals drafted him No. 11 overall, and according to Pro Football Focus, the pick helped Cincinnati earn the top spot among teams with the most improved offensive lines after the draft.

“With the 11th overall pick though, Cincinnati secured PFF’s highest-ranked offensive lineman in the draft in Alabama’s Jonah Williams,” draft analyst Mike Renner wrote. “The junior was the fourth-ranked player on PFF’s board and has starting experience at both left and right tackle. He’s as NFL-ready as it gets in the draft and should immediately be an enormous upgrade over Hart.”

Williams’ ability to play tackle was questioned in the run-up to the draft, but the Bengals confirmed he’ll begin his career at left tackle. It’s the right call by the coaching staff. Williams played the position at an extremely high level in the SEC, which is essentially like playing in the NFL. He’ll be just fine blocking Andy Dalton’s blindside.

The Atlanta Falcons got some love from PFF, too. Their selections of Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary helped solidify both the interior and tackle spots.

“We had Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary more as second-round values,” Renner wrote, “but we could see the theme the Falcons were going for. Both players are exceptional athletes who can be plugged into any scheme.”

I would’ve rather seen the Falcons take a chance on Jawaan Taylor instead of McGary at the end of the first round, but even if the former Washington Husky has a lower ceiling than Taylor, he still projects as a quality starter in the NFL.