Cowboys Extra: Spotlight on Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews

Height: 6-5 Weight: 309

Season: 2nd College: Texas A&M

Strengths: Matthews’ father, Bruce, has a bust in Canton as one of the all-time best offensive linemen. Yet, Jake Matthews grew up a quarterback. He switched to the offensive line as a sophomore in high school and became one of the nation’s top recruits. At A&M, Matthews started 33 consecutive games at right tackle before replacing Luke Joeckel at left tackle as a senior in 2013. The Falcons made him the sixth overall pick. Matthews is a natural lineman and a “true technician,” as scouts call him. He is extremely tough, having missed only one game in his career. That came last year when he sat out with a high-ankle sprain before returning to gut it out in the next game. Matthews is humble and grounded.

Weaknesses: Matthews has had a tough start to his NFL career so far. He had the high-ankle sprain last season, had Lisfranc foot surgery this off-season and strained his back in the preseason. Matthews started his NFL career at right tackle before switching over in training camp when Sam Baker was lost for the year with a knee injury. There was some thought the Falcons signed Jake Long last week to switch Matthews to right tackle. But coach Dan Quinn said Long will backup Matthews and right tackle Ryan Schraeder for now. Last season, Matthews allowed seven sacks, according to STATS, and had nine penalties, including five holding calls.

Last week: He played all 72 offensive snaps as the Falcons gained 402 yards in a 24-20 victory over the Giants.

Who he has to stop? Jeremy Mincey starts at right defensive end, but the Cowboys like to rotate their defensive linemen and move them around. With Randy Gregory out with an ankle injury, the Cowboys used Jack Crawford at the position last week. Mincey and Crawford have six tackles and no sacks this season.

Notable: Matthews’ older brother, Kevin, played at A&M and briefly in the NFL. His younger brother, Mike, is the Aggies’ center. … His cousin, Clay Matthews III, plays linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. His other cousin, Casey Matthews, is a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. … Jake Matthews was a two-time All-American at A&M.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Cowboys Extra: Spotlight on Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews."