Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the Atlanta Falcons.
2015 in a nutshell: Despite starting 5-0 and possessing a ton of talent, the Falcons finished 8-8 in their first season under Dan Quinn, failing to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Why 2016 could be different: Year 2 for Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Plus, you’d have to think they can get more out of quarterback Matt Ryan, who has been to three Pro Bowls but is coming off a season in which he ranked 20th in the NFL with a passer rating of 89.0
Major additions: They added veterans Alex Mack, Mohamed Sanu and Derrick Shelby in free agency, and all three should start.
Major losses: Veteran receiver Roddy White is gone, but the 34-year-old is losing it.
Breakout watch: Top-10 pick Vic Beasley had a solid rookie season but will be expected to become a star edge-rusher in 2016.
Position to watch: Shelby, who was quietly graded by Pro Football Focus as a top-10 4-3 defensive end last season, was brought in to complement Beasley up front. They’ll be charged with boosting a pass-rush that had a league-low 19 sacks last season. They’re very young up front, so a lot will fall on the well-paid Shelby, the highly-touted Beasley and 2014 second-round defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman.
Prediction: Atlanta truly is better than its recent records. And the Falcons are slowly trending upward, winning four games in 2013, six in 2014 and eight in 2015. Ryan is better than this, and I think the young defense should improve. They’ll win nine or 10 games and make a run at a wild-card spot.
