ESPN Insider's NFL Future Power Rankings are out, and the Atlanta Falcons are not among the top-10 teams.
In fact, the Falcons just made the top 20 at No. 19, right behind the New Orleans Saints (No. 18). The Carolina Panthers are the only NFC South team in the top 10 at No. 10.
So what do these rankings consists of? Well, ESPN experts John Clayton, Louis Riddick and Mike Sando dissected the teams from 0-100 on five categories: roster (excluding quarterback), quarterback, draft, front office and coaching.
To read the full the breakdown of the Falcons, you'll have to read the ESPN Insider piece. But here's a snippet of the commentary from Riddick regarding the roster:
``The jury is technically still out when it comes to assessing the Falcons' 2014 draft class, but from where I sit, other than OT Jake Matthews, I don't see a lot of starting-caliber players coming out of this group. I said a year ago that the Falcons have been a poor drafting team overall since Dimitroff took over in 2008. How this team performs under Quinn will largely depend on the 2015 draft class injecting some play-making ability into a talent-depleted roster. Keep an eye on first-rounder Vic Beasley: He could be the most important draft pick Dimitroff has made since he selected Matt Ryan third overall in 2008.''
I agree with Riddick's assessment about the drafting woes, particularly when you see first-round picks such as Sam Baker, Peria Jerry and Sean Weatherspoon no longer on the roster and guys such as Lamar Holmes, Peter Konz, Akeem Dent, Mike Johnson and Thomas DeCoud either gone or minimal contributors.
I also agree with Riddick regarding the importance of Beasley to this franchise. He has to be a star, nothing less. All indication so far is he has the quickness and athleticism to be a dominant pass-rusher. Now, Beasley just has to go out and do it consistently. He can't be a one-hit wonder.
