The college guard will be converting to center, following the footsteps of Ryan Neuzil and Jovaughn Gwyn.
The Atlanta Falcons have added more competition to an unsettled center position, signing Louisville undrafted free agent Michael Gonzalez. In a corresponding move, they’ve taken a piece out of the equation elsewhere on the line, cutting Joey Fisher.
The news comes to us from the team. Gonzalez is an interesting addition this far away from the 2025 NFL Draft, especially because he’s a college guard who will be making the shift to center, something the team has done with both Ryan Neuzil and Jovaughn Gwyn in recent years. A 50 game starter at Louisville, Gonzalez was known for his pass protection skills in college, but was part of a very good run blocking line, as Will McFadden (hi, Will!) with the Falcons notes.
Fisher joined the Falcons on a reserve/futures deal back in January, and was listed as a guard on the team’s depth chart. With Fisher looking for a new team, the team now only has virtual roster lock Kyle Hinton, undrafted free agent Joshua Gray, and veteran Elijah Wilkinson listed at guard behind Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron, though other players can of course take on multiple positions.
Gonzalez is stepping into an advantageous situation. Ryan Neuzil has yet to sign his contract—at least as far as we’re aware—and there is no indication Gwyn is locked into a long-term role as a reserve behind him. The only other listed center on the roster is Matthew Cindric. This season there could be room on the practice squad or even roster for a backup center if Gonzalez thrives, and in 2026 there may be a completely clear path to a roster spot if the undrafted free agent can make his case.
That’s all ahead, of course, but Gonzalez is a name to file away for later this summer. Give him a warm welcome to Atlanta.