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With the 2014 NFL scouting combine in the rearview mirror and free agency about to begin, Insider's experts have produced an Offseason Blueprint for all 32 NFL teams. Included are each team's front-office priorities, projected 2014 lineups, draft and free-agency targets, cap situation and much more.
This is the Offseason Blueprint for the Atlanta Falcons.
Front-office priorities
What management's to-do list should include this offseason.
1. When an owner questions the competitive toughness of his team, particularly as it pertains to the level of play along the line of scrimmage, not much needs to be said regarding where you look to start improving the roster. Atlanta needs to improve its toughness, especially along the lines. Both offensive and defensive lines need work.
2. There are five offensive tackles in the 2014 draft who are major upgrades over anyone the Falcons have on their roster both from a skill set and competitive toughness standpoint. Given where they are slotted to pick in Round 1 (No. 6), the Falcons could move down, acquire more picks and still get one of those tackles.
3. Considering Julio Jones' injury history and the fact that both he and Roddy White are both going to be unrestricted free agents in 2015, how GM Thomas Dimitroff handles those contracts will be something to watch. With the depth at WR in the 2014 draft, and given how Dimitroff apparently views the position in the overall team-building process, wide receiver is another position that should come off the board early for them. They may also look for an upgrade over Steven Jackson at the starting tailback spot.