Atlanta Falcons sign former Kansas City Chiefs guard Jon Asamoah

Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jon Asamoah (73) during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

There were many whispers (okay, loud whispers) that the Atlanta Falcons were interested in Kansas City Chiefs guard Jon Asamoah as free agency opened on Tuesday afternoon, and they didn’t waste any time in locking him in to bolster their struggling offensive line.

The 25-year-old Asamoah immediately becomes one of the better players on the Atlanta offensive line (if not the best player), and he’ll presumably start at right guard, with incumbent Justin Blalock remaining on the left side of the line and the newly-signed Joe Hawley pegged for the middle. Asamoah is listed at 6-foot-4 and 304 pounds by Pro Football Reference, and he is regarded as a high-end pass blocker at the position, which is something that the Falcons desperately need on the interior line.

Reviews are generally positive for Asamoah as he heads into free agency at the relatively young age of 25, and sites like Pro Football Focus have given him high-end grades during his time in Kansas City. Various outlets have ranked the former Illinois product as a top-3 offensive guard in this season’s free agency class, and it should be seen as a positive that the Falcons clearly identified him early in the process and locked him down to a contract quickly.

Jon Asamoah may not be a “star in the making” as an interior lineman, but he represents a clear upgrade from what was on the current roster, and that makes the move incredibly easy to endorse.