32 teams in 32 days: Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-12
Offensive Rank: 14th, Points: 20th, Passing: 7th, Rushing: 32nd
Defensive Rank: 28th, Points: 27th, Passing: 21st, Rushing: 31st

Offensive MVP: Matt Ryan
Offensive LVP: Steven Jackson
Defensive MVP: Desmond Trufant
Defensive LVP: Thomas DeCoud

Story of the Season:
After finally getting over the playoff hump in January, the wheels spectacularly fell off in Atlanta. Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyioura were past it, Julio Jones hit IR, Roddy White was ineffective through injury, the OL sucked. Years of mediocre defensive drafts hit hard. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford were successes at least.

2014 Outlook:
Getting Roddy and Julio healthy should help immensely, and Ryan remains a very good QB. Blanket changes should happen across both lines however, as being poor at these areas really crippled Atlanta. Improvements in these areas should see Atlanta return to playoff contention.

2014 Draft Needs:
Sam Baker got paid, but hes terrible so a Tackle could be in play, as could a franchise pass rusher. Fortunately Atlanta has the luxury of not needing a QB so they can be patient and see who drops. Replacing Gonzalez should happen later, as should filling out the safety position.

Obvious contenders for a bounce back year. Ryan, Roddy and Julio back together again destroying defenses.

I agree that out of the top 10 teams in the draft the Falcons are in the best place to bounce back. Julio Jones and Roddy White being injured were huge loses for them this year.

They need to replace Tony Gonzalez and Eric Ebron could be a draft target especially if they trade back a little bit.

That said the Falcons are in one of the strongest divisions in the NFL. The Saints and Panthers both have a top five defence and both reach the divisional round in the playoffs and the Buccaneers have plenty of talent on their roster.

Think this past year showed Ryan is still a good QB, but one that's only as good as the weapons around him.

Gotta sort out the trenches on both sides. Although seems like that's been Atlanta's problem for years