Falcons’ Alex Mack rated one of the NFL’s top three centers in 2016

January 14, 2017, Atlanta: Falcons center Alex Mack gives Matt Ryan plenty of time to toss a first down pass against the Seahawks during the second half in a NFL football NFC divisional playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta.     Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

January 14, 2017, Atlanta: Falcons center Alex Mack gives Matt Ryan plenty of time to toss a first down pass against the Seahawks during the second half in a NFL football NFC divisional playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons offensive lineman Alex Mack ranked as one of the top three centers in the NFL in 2016, according to ratings from Pro Football Focus.

Mack, who the Falcons signed to a five-year, $45 million deal as a free agent last winter, was one of the biggest keys to the team’s resurgence in the running game, going from 19th in rushing yards per game in 2015 to 5th last year.

Mack also helped the Falcons be Pro Football Focus's sixth-ranked overall offensive line in the NFL last season, grading out as the team's best run blocker and overall offensive lineman.

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