The Falcons' tackle position remains unsettled despite acquiring Michael Jerrell, who surrendered significant pressures in limited starts. Elijah Wilkinson projects as a better option than recently tried alternatives but carries a history of unreliability at tackle after a transition from guard. The ideal timeline would have Wilkinson bridge until Storm Norton's return, but that risks the protection of rookie Michael Penix against a difficult early schedule. Depth concerns extend beyond tackle, as injuries and a shallow linebacker group surfaced in preseason evaluations. JD Bertrand's weak preseason performance leaves him third on the depth chart, limiting defensive snap availability.
Trading for Michael Jerrell is not a "call it a day" move. The raw second-year tackle out of Division II (Findlay) gave up four pressures in his debut against the Falcons last year and would end up surrendering 13 pressures in four starts, per PFF. I find it hard to believe that this is the final Terry Fontenot maneuver the team makes in hopes of bolstering the tackle position, and yet these are your Atlanta Falcons.
Raheem Morris was not shy about sharing his belief in Elijah Wilkinson's ability to play RT. After seeing Brandon Parker and Jack Nelson play it, it's hard to argue that Wilkinson isn't the better option. Hopefully, that isn't the bar the team is measuring against. Wilkinson has been a solid spot starter at guard, and this came after he initially started his career as a tackle, where he proved to be too unreliable.
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