Bleacher Report's 2027 NFL mock draft has the Atlanta Falcons taking Trevor Goosby at No. 8 overall, a projection that immediately frames the Texas tackle as a possible long-term answer at left tackle. With Jake Matthews dealing with a minor injury and the Falcons already under pressure to settle their future up front, the idea is easy to understand.
Friday night's preseason debut only sharpened the issue. Matthews left early after a minor injury, Mike Jerrell moved to left tackle and Ethan Onianwa came in at right tackle, but the protection and run blocking were both poor. Then on Monday, Matthews did not participate at practice, which only kept the focus on what Atlanta might do next if it has to plan beyond the present.
Why Trevor Goosby is on the radar
Brandon Thorn made the case for Goosby by pointing to both his age and upside. As Thorn noted, Goosby returned to school after a promising first year as the Longhorns' starting left tackle, and as a 20-year-old redshirt freshman in 2025 he now holds the inside track to be the top blocker off the board.
That is a strong endorsement, and it is easy to see why the physical profile stands out. Thorn described Goosby as 6'7" and 325 pounds, with rare play-strength and elite length that make him one of the country's most imposing linemen. He also posted a 4.80 forty-yard dash time, which places him in the 99th percentile and adds another layer to the upside.
A future call, not just a short-term fix
The Falcons are not looking at this simply as a one-game adjustment. The bigger question is whether they can identify a proven successor to Kaleb McGary and also protect themselves at left tackle if Matthews is no longer part of the long-term plan. That is why a projection like this carries weight.
Kevin Stefanski said he doesn't expect Matthews to miss any time, and that matters in the short term. But mock drafts are about the bigger picture, and Bleacher Report's projection suggests Atlanta could view Goosby as a player with the size, strength and trajectory to step into a premium role.
If the Falcons continue to struggle in the trenches, this will only remain a louder talking point. For now, Trevor Goosby has at least emerged as a name to watch if Atlanta decides the future at tackle needs to be addressed early.
