Falcons claim guard Colby Gossett off waivers from Browns

Atlanta adds a young guard to a line in need of additions.

The Falcons had the fourth-highest priority for waiver claims, and with hundreds of players being cut leaguewide, they figured to claim somebody. Now we have a name, as the Falcons claimed guard Colby Gossett off waivers from the Browns.

The 26-year-old Gossett was a 6th round pick by Minnesota back in 2018, and he started four games in that initial season after being cut and landing with the Cardinals. He’s since bounced around, spending time with the Patriots and then landing with the Browns in 2019. Gossett opted out of the 2020 NFL season, one of several players to elect not to play in a year where the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping the world.

Obviously, he was among the final cuts for Cleveland, and now will get another shot in Atlanta.

Gossett’s stint in Arizona as a starter did not go particularly well, but that’s the sole starting experience in regular season games we have to go off of. The Falcons were likely more interested in what he did for the Browns this summer, where he was reportedly solid, and they got a first-hand look at him on Sunday during the game between the two teams and must have liked what they saw. That may be, in part, because he jumped on the Kobe Jones fumble.

Gossett is a solid athlete who moves well, and the Falcons will take a look at him over the next couple of weeks and see where he might fit on their depth chart, though I’d initially pencil him in as the ninth and final guy on the line. The team certainly needs depth help—neither Jalen Mayfield or Drew Dalman looked great on the interior against the Browns—but whether the Falcons grabbed him with the intention of giving him a shot at pushing for a real role will be clear soon enough. Right now, Josh Andrews and Chris Lindstrom at your starters at guard.

It’s worth noting that Dwayne Ledford, the team’s offensive line coach, certainly seems familiar with the new addition. He coached Gossett at Appalachian State.

We’ll be seeing a corresponding move announced in the near future, so stay tuned for that. Give Gossett a warm welcome and let’s hope he can be an asset for an offensive line that needs help.