Atlanta Falcons rank seventh in ESPN’s post-free agency power rankings

The Atlanta Falcons took a subdued approach during free agency. And now they’re staring down the NFL draft, which kicks off in approximately four weeks. With any luck the Falcons will plug a few small holes and dominate the NFC in 2018. We certainly know they will have competition.

ESPN just published their post-free agency power rankings. They take an admittedly premature look at how all 32 NFL teams will stack up in 2018. They rank the Falcons 7th, ahead of

7. Atlanta Falcons

2017 record: 10-6

Way-too-early ranking: 7

The Falcons filled a big need by signing guard Brandon Fusco to bulk up the interior of the offensive line. The defensive line has taken a hit, though, with Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn both signing elsewhere. The duo played the second- and third-most snaps along Atlanta’s defensive line last season.

The Falcons are ranked ahead of several big name teams in the NFC (the Green Bay Packers, the Carolina Panthers, and the Seattle Seahawks). The Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles are ranked first and the Miami Dolphins rank dead last. The Falcons are ranked ahead of every NFC South team except one: the New Orleans Saints.

This feels about right, in my estimation. Obviously no ones how the draft will shake out and there’s an uncanny amount of unplanned regression and improvement by various teams each season.

Your thoughts, Falcoholics?