Ryan

Schraeder

This was the expected move after the Falcons splurged on offensive linemen this offseason, re-signing RT Ty Sambrailo before then adding LG James Carpenter and RG Jamon Brown on multi-year deals. Schraeder is the odd man out two years after signing a five-year extension. The Falcons cleared $6.45 million against the cap by making Schraeder a post-June 1 cut. The soon-to-be 31-year-old will likely latch on somewhere else.

Holmes was competing with UDFA Ryan Schraeder for the spot. Schraeder will be the swing tackle, while Holmes, last year’s third-round pick, will fill the shoes of Mike Johnson, who was lost for the season due to a broken leg and dislocated ankle. Out of 157 tackles graded by Pro Football Focus this preseason, Holmes was the fourth-worst. He was especially poor as a run blocker.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the deal includes $12.5 million guaranteed. It is a good reward for a player who has been outstanding the last three seasons after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2013. With Schraeder, C Alex Mack, LG Andy Levitre, and LT Jake Matthews under contract for at least another season, the Falcons have the makings of a top-tier offensive line.

Schraeder hopped off the field late in the game. He was able to walk around on the sideline, but remained in clear pain. Schraeder is expected to avoid surgery and be all systems go in “probably a good month,” per beat writer Vaughn McClure. Turning 29 in May, Schraeder has emerged as one of the NFL’s sturdiest right tackles since going undrafted out of Valdosta State in 2013.

Atlanta converted Schraeder’s $6 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, freeing up $4.8 million in cap space. The restructure will not pay the right tackle any less money. Schraeder tore a ligament in his ankle during the Super Bowl, but he is expected to be ready for OTAs.

Schraeder’s Super Bowl injury did not require surgery. His rehab ended up being the best-case scenario. Schraeder was a 16-game starter each of the past two seasons.

A 2013 undrafted free agent, Schraeder took off in first-year OC Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme last season and was arguably Atlanta’s top offensive lineman. The second-round tender will pay Schraeder a $2.553 million salary.

Schraeder looked for offers after being hit with a second-round tender by the Falcons, but it was always unlikely he would find a team willing to give up a second-round pick for his services. Schraeder has played extremely well the last two seasons, and the Falcons should look to lock him up to a long-term deal in the near future.

Schraeder was injured on the final play of Atlanta’s opening drive. Playing on Sunday night, he’s going to be in a race to get cleared for Week 3. Ty Sambrailo replaced Schraeder at right tackle.

Schraeder also sat out on Wednesday after suffering a concussion in the Week 2 win over the Packers. He appears doubtful for Week 3, but perhaps he will be able to get in some work Friday. Ty Sambrailo took over at right tackle after Schraeder exited.