Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Final 32-team breakdown ahead of the 2018 draft

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 8. team. 44. .

It would be nice to put the Falcons higher in our NFL power rankings, but it’s just so hard to justify it.

On one hand, they should improve after an inconsistent season last year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. And any team boasting offensive standouts in quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman has an excellent shot at getting back to the playoffs.

Still, losing defenders Adrian Clayborn and Dontari Poe this offseason hurts. It would be one thing if the Falcons played in a weak division. But the NFC South is as tough a landscape as any in the league right now.

Just think about the quarterbacks Atlanta will have to face twice a year this season — Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Jameis Winston. Teams need a good pass rush to have a shot against those guys, and we may be wondering about the Falcons here.

If head coach Dan Quinn gets his way, Atlanta will be thinking about a top defensive lineman with their first pick in the NFL Draft.

As long as he excels, the Falcons defense will pick up where it left off a year ago.