Hennessy Drafted To Be Falcons Left Guard

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The Atlanta Falcons drafted center Matt Hennessy in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He's the likely heir apparent when Alex Mack eventually retires. 

While some believe Hennessy could simply be a backup center in his first year and study under Alex Mack, head coach Dan Quinn mentioned his versatility in playing guard. 

Protect at all costs ‼️Let's work, @matt__hennessy! pic.twitter.com/b3sIRY7zC1

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 25, 2020

Jason Butt of The Athletic goes further to say that Hennessy could be the starting left guard this season.

"It's going to be an interesting left guard competition because I think--just reading between the lines--my thought is they want Matt Hennessy to be the starter at left guard," Butt said. 

Butt was surprised Hennessy, a top-ranked center, fell to the third round.

"You know the fact that they got him there, you know the second center off the board behind Cesar Ruiz, they want him to be a left guard."

The Falcons already have three guys on the roster Hennessy will be competing with: Jamon Brown, James Carpenter and Matt Gono.

"Four guys there will be competing for that spot and read between the lines, it sounds like they would love for Hennessy to be the starting left guard, get some NFL experience, then move over to center when it's his time."