Falcons pick up fifth-year option on LT Matthews

Facing a May 3 deadline to exercise a fifth-year team option, the Atlanta Falcons picked up the option on left tackle Jake Matthews Tuesday. The sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft has been a productive player for the Falcons over his first three seasons while missing just one game in his career.

• Matthews is coming off a season where he finished fourth in the NFL among offensive tackles in hurries with just 14 hurries allowed.
• Over his career, Matthews has improved his rookie season pass-blocking grade of 38.3 in 2014 with grades of 82.1 in 2015 and 79.2 in 2016.