If you ask most Atlanta Falcons fans for their top three players on the team, it’s almost impossible not to hear guard Chris Lindstrom’s name on virtually every list. Lindstrom has been one of the more consistent cogs of the Falcons during the Arthur Smith regime and a key reason Atlanta’s offensive line has become highly coveted. With that stability, Lindstrom earned the second-best spot on ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s rankings of the top ten interior linemen behind Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin. But some NFL executives weren’t impressed with the stability Lindstrom brings to the Falcons offensive line. In fact, one of them went so far as to say Lindstrom was “not elite.”
"He was paid a lot because team had to take care of him -- no real negatives here, just not elite in my opinion."
In the ranking, Lindstrom’s status varied as far as it possibly could, some ranked him the top interior lineman in the NFL, some didn’t believe he didn’t deserve to be in the top ten. However, 44% of the decision-makers ranked him first or second, catapulting him high enough to contend for the number-one spot. One AFC executive even said that they’ve “had him number one for years.”
Falcons fans certainly agree. When Lindstrom reset the guard market, inking a five-year, $102.5 million extension, no Falcons fans batted an eye. One defensive line coach even recognized that Lindstrom is “slightly better than the field as a run blocker. I'd probably put him up against anyone there. And he's improved enough as a pass blocker that he's solid there."
In this new offense under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Lindstrom has another chance to exceed expectations and lead a bona fide offense in Atlanta next to tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman, who also received votes in the ranking.
Atlanta can be a special offense in 2024, which starts up front on the offensive line. And the offensive line starts and goes with the leadership of Lindstrom.
Chris Lindstrom carries a blade with him at all times just in case he has to cut somebody 🗡️ pic.twitter.com/eOdO4p2Ixh
— Locked On Falcons (@lockedonfalcons) December 5, 2023