PFF's Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman studied all 32 rosters in the NFL and ranked them from best to worst, while projecting the starting 22 for every team. The duo ranked the Atlanta Falcons 15th in the NFL, essentially calling them a middle-of-the pack roster. The Falcons are slated as the seventh-best team in the NFC behind the San Francisco 49ers (1st), Philadelphia Eagles (3rd), Detroit Lions (6th), Dallas Cowboys (9th), Green Bay Packers (13th) and Los Angeles Rams (14th).
Projected Starting Lineups
| OFFENSE | DEFENSE |
| QB Kirk Cousins (86.1) | DI Grady Jarrett (70.1) |
| RB Bijan Robinson (69.1) | DI David Onyemata (83.3) |
| RB Tyler Allgeier (82.9) | Edge Lorenzo Carter (67.0) |
| WR Drake London (78.9) | Edge Arnold Ebiketie (61.4) |
| WR Darnell Mooney (55.2) | Edge Bralen Trice (88.1*) |
| WR Rondale Moore (53.6) | LB Kaden Elliss (75.4) |
| TE Kyle Pitts (68.1) | LB Troy Andersen (50.6) |
| LT Jake Matthews (71.2) | CB A.J. Terrell (74.6) |
| LG Matthew Bergeron (59.1) | CB Clark Phillips III (59.0) |
| C Drew Dalman (82.3) | CB Dee Alford (70.0) |
| RG Chris Lindstrom (87.6) | S Jessie Bates III (90.6) |
| RT Kaleb McGary (75.5) | S DeMarcco Hellams (65.2) |
While there probably won't be three edges on the field to start, one of the most important aspects of this projection is that the only rookie in a position to start is Trice. Atlanta's middle-of-the-pack roster is composed primarily of veterans from last year's roster.
This is why the Falcons' decision to pick Michael Penix, Jr. in the first round is getting so much flak in the media. Atlanta's roster still had holes across the defense, and they are making a large bet that players like second-year cornerback Clark Phillips III and third-year edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie make a jump to be impact starters in head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake's defense.
If the Falcons are right, they should cruise into their first playoff game since 2017. If they aren't, this could be the beginning of the end for General Manager Terry Fontenot.