NFL Power Ranking Preseason Edition: NFC only gets better

Atlanta has been known for their high-flying offenses, and they somehow got better this offseason.

Already threatening with Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Austin Hooper, Devonta Freeman, and Tevin Coleman, the Falcons used their first round pick to get the best-all-around wide receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft, Calvin Ridley.

While never having eye-popping numbers at Alabama, Ridley is the most polished route runner in this year’s rookie class and his hands are excellent. Defenses won’t know who to put a greater emphasis on down the field. It’s probably the best group they’ve had in the Matt Ryan era, which is a lot considering they’ve had Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White.

On defense they have a ton of young talent that keeps getting better, and they hit on all of their needs in the draft. Isaiah Oliver and Deadrin Senat will provide solid depth this year and potentially more in the near future.

Atlanta sits in one of football’s toughest divisions and their schedule goes from great to gaudy in the second half. The Falcons only have three home games after their week nine bye, including the final two games at Carolina and Tampa Bay. They go to Philadelphia to start the season and have a December trip up to Green Bay.