Sports

Falcons Rumors: Ex-Browns OL Justin McCray Agrees to Contract

Justin K. Aller/Getty ImagesThe Atlanta Falcons continued adding pieces to their offense Sunday, agreeing to terms with offensive lineman Justin McCray on an undisclosed deal, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.McCray spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, playing in 15 games while making four starts.The move should add some decent depth to the Falcons offensive line.Already…

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Published on March 23, 2020

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The Atlanta Falcons continued adding pieces to their offense Sunday, agreeing to terms with offensive lineman Justin McCray on an undisclosed deal, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

McCray spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, playing in 15 games while making four starts.

The move should add some decent depth to the Falcons offensive line.

Already this offseason, Atlanta has added defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, edge Dante Fowler Jr., running back Todd Gurley and tight end Hayden Hurst. On Sunday, they added wideout Laquon Treadwell to the mix before grabbing McCray.

It's clear the Falcons have reached the point in the offseason where they're looking more for depth and value adds than starters and playmakers. McCray's signing signals the Falcons are placing a premium on protecting quarterback Matt Ryan as they look to compete in a revamped NFC South.

Now that Tom Brady is moving on to play in Tampa Bay and the Carolina Panthers are hitting reset with new head coach Matt Rhule and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Falcons will have to dig deep to bounce back from a 7-9 season. That was already going to be a tough task with Drew Brees returning to New Orleans and the Saints adding wideout Emmanuel Sanders and safety Malcolm Jenkins.

According to ESPN's depth chart, McCray figures to slot in on the second string at right tackle behind Kaleb McGary.

The 27-year-old has taken a winding path to reach this point in his career. Undrafted out of UCF in 2014, McCray spent one year on the Tennessee Titans practice squad before catching on with the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League, later joining the Tampa Bay Storm. In 2017, he found his way back to the NFL with an opportunity in Green Bay before the Packers traded him to Cleveland the following offseason.

Now onto his sixth professional team in seven years, the 6'3″, 317-pound tackle is hoping he can provide the security Atlanta is looking for as it looks to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Reported deals via NFL.com's free-agency tracker.