2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Atlanta Falcons

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Atlanta Falcons

Schedule | Roster

The Falcons stumbled out of the gate in 2013 and were never able to find their footing, finishing the season with the second-worst record in the NFC at 4-12. Injuries played a big role in the Falcons' demise, as wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Steven Jackson - one of the team's biggest offseason acquisitions - both had extended stays on injured reserve.

After ranking 12th against the run in 2012, Atlanta finished next to last in the league at 135.8 yards per game. Their rushing attack didn't fare well either, averaging a league-worst 77.9 yards per game while allowing 44 sacks.

Quarterback Matt Ryan still managed to throw for 4,515 yards (the second-highest total of his career) and 26 touchdowns, though, and completed the third-most passes (439) of any quarterback in the league. Wide receiver Harry Douglas was another pleasant surprise, catching a career-high 85 passes for 1,067 yards and two touchdowns.

Preseason Power Ranking - #15

Staying healthy will be key for the Falcons, who managed four wins last season after earning 13 the previous year. The return of Jones gives Ryan one of his favorite receiving targets back, while the addition of first-round pick Jake Matthews should provide the quarterback with some much-needed blindside protection. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: DT Paul Soliai, DE Tyson Jackson, OG Jon Asamoah, WR Devin Hester

Key Departures: TE Tony Gonzalez, S Thomas DeCoud, CB Asante Samuel

Replacing Gonzalez will be no easy task for the Falcons. Last season, at 37, Gonzalez finished second on the team in receptions (83) and receiving yards (859), and had a team-leading eight touchdowns. Jones and Roddy White should help offset the loss of Gonzalez, but the Falcons will need both to be healthy.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff stayed true to his word by making improvements to his offensive and defensive lines this offseason, signing Soliai, Jackson, and Asamoah to long-term deals. All three players are proven starters and should be good fits for Mike Nolan's hybrid defense.

Hester, whose 12.3 punt return average ranks fifth in NFL history, will add a much-needed spark to Atlanta's special teams. The 31-year-old is expected to replace Jacquizz Rodgers and Robert McClain as the team's primary kick and punt returner.

2014 Draft Class 

The Falcons showed they are serious about addressing their offensive and defensive line problems by using seven of their nine draft picks on defensive players. 

Matthews, widely considered the most pro-ready offensive lineman in this year's draft, is slated as a Week 1 starter for the Falcons. He was initially expected to play right tackle, but was moved to the left side following Sam Baker's season-ending knee injury.

Hageman is a former tight end and high school basketball standout who boasts a unique combination of size (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) and athletic ability. Like Matthews, he provides versatility in his ability to play both defensive end and defensive tackle, but has some developing to do before he reaches his full potential.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike Smith
Offensive Coordinator: Dirk Koetter
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan

Despite slumping to a 4-12 record last season, Falcons management showed faith in Smith by signing him to a one-year contract extension. The 55-year-old is 60-36 in the regular season since joining Atlanta in 2008, and his losing record as head coach of the Falcons last year was his first in his time with the club.

Koetter is back for a third season after drawing consideration for head coaching jobs with the Cleveland Browns and Boise State, as is Nolan. 

The Falcons signed a number of 3-4 players this offseason, leading to speculation the team is transitioning away from a 4-3 base defense. Smith and Nolan have both used the term "multiple" in describing their defensive system, but regardless of what they prefer to call it, the Falcons' defense must improve.

2014 Schedule

The Falcons enter the season with the league's 11th-toughest schedule, based on their opponents' combined winning percentage from 2013. 

Week 8 takes the Falcons to London for the NFL's International Series, where they'll face the Detroit Lions as the home team. They will also play two prime-time games this season, including a Week 14 visit to Lambeau Field.

Weeks 13 through 17 could prove the most difficult stretch for the team, with division matchups against the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers - both of whom made the playoffs last season. The will also face the Arizona Cardinals, who not only hold a 16-12 all-time record against the Falcons, but were the best team in the NFL last season not to make the playoffs.

Bold Predictions

Jonathan Massaquoi will record 10+ sacks: The Falcons didn't have a dominant pass rusher in 2013, as Osi Umenyiora led the team with 7 ½ sacks. Massaquoi, a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft, came on strong at the end of the season as his role increased, recording three of his four sacks in the final four weeks of the year. Expected to take on a bigger role this season, Massaquoi should be able to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and see his sack total rise dramatically. - Mike Dickson

Julio Jones will lead the league in receiving yards: Jones missed 11 games a season ago with a major foot injury, and it’s easy to forget that he led the league in receiving before he went on IR. When healthy, Jones is virtually uncoverable. By all reports, he has fully recovered from his injury and has his explosion back. There's one fewer receiving target in Atlanta with Tony Gonzalez’s retirement, so Jones should see the ball a lot. He's tremendous on deep routes and excellent after the catch. He'll pile up yardage. - David Woods