Due to a lack of salary cap space, the Atlanta Falcons had no choice but to let starting center Drew Dalman walk during the 2025 free agency period. Dalman, a former fourth-round pick who worked his way up to a starting job, signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears.

This departure left the Falcons in need of a new starting center. Without many options available, the team turned to former backup Ryan Neuzil, signing the veteran to a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension. While Neuzil started eight games in place of an injured Dalman in 2024, he was unproven in a full-time starting role.

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When the regular season rolled around, Neuzil more than held his own along Atlanta’s offensive line. The 28-year-old finished as Pro Football Focus‘ sixth-rated center in 2025, earning a PFF grade of 77.4.

Neuzil even outperformed Dalman, who finished two spots behind him in PFF’s center rankings. Here’s what PFF had to say about Neuzil’s performance last season.

Ryan Neuzil ranked No. 6 center in NFL by PFF

“Neuzil took over as the Falcons’ starting center in the wake of Drew Dalman’s departure to Chicago, and he emerged as one of the best zone run blockers in the league (83.3 PFF run-blocking grade, fifth),” wrote PFF’s Lauren Gray. “Neuzil generated the fourth-best impact-block rate among players on this list (18.4%), as well as the fourth-lowest defeated rate (11.4%).”

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Neuzil struggled in pass protection, but so did Dalman, who allowed the third-most QB pressures in 2025. Dalman was ranked No. 8 on PFF’s center rankings.

Drew Dalman ranked No. 8 center in NFL by PFF

“Dalman spent his first four seasons in Atlanta before signing a three-year deal with the Bears in 2025,” wrote Gray. “Not only did he play every offensive snap for the team this season, but he was also named to his first Pro Bowl. Dalman is another center on this list who has struggled in pass protection, although he earned a career-best 67.3 PFF pass-blocking grade this season. He allowed the third-most pressures at the position (31), at a rate of 4.2% (third highest on this list).”

The Bears have to be happy with Dalman’s performance, especially having just made it to the divisional round of the playoffs. However, the Falcons must be feeling great about Neuzil’s production, which came at a fraction of the cost.

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Atlanta’s offensive line is one of the best units in the NFL, and it should only get better with time. Neuzil is proof that you don’t always have to break the bank to find production. Drafting and developing talent can be just as effective when done correctly.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Ryan Neuzil ranked ahead of Drew Dalman by PFF