Atlanta Falcons: Aiming for History

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

On the heels of a nightmarish 2007 season, the Falcons were predicted to go 0-16 by some pundits. But not even the most optimistic Falcons fan would have expected a playoff spot, and even fewer would have seen Matt Ryan going from rookie to franchise quarterback before the season's halfway point.

But now here comes the hard part: The Falcons have never managed to put together back-to-back winning seasons. Whenever the Falcons have broken through with a playoff appearance, it's always been followed with a quick crash back to Earth.

This year should be different. With the coaching staff, front office and most of the key members of the 2008 club back, this Falcons team should be positioned to break with a 40-year trend, especially if they can have an offseason nearly as productive as their 2008 offseason.

Free Agents: OL Harvey Dahl (restricted), S Jamaal Fudge (restricted), OL Patrick McCoy (restricted), OL Ben Wilkerson (restricted), LB Michael Boley, DE Chauncey Davis, CB Domonique Foxworth, OL Wayne Gandy, LB Tony Gilbert, DT Grady Jackson, DT Jason Jefferson, S Lawyer Milloy, TE Justin Peele, TE Marcus Pollard.

Draft Picks: 1 (24), 2 (23), 3 (26), 4 (25), 5 (24), 6 (23)

Needs

1. Linebacker. Technically, Keith Brooking is still on the roster, but even if the veteran figures out a way to stay in Atlanta, the Falcons need to find someone with fresher legs to replace him. Coy Wire stepped in late in the season to replace departing linebacker Michael Boley, but Wire is best as a fill-in. Curtis Lofton gives Atlanta one solid linebacker, but reinforcements are needed.

2. Defensive line. The Falcons have an outstanding edge rusher in John Abraham, but with defensive end Chauncey Davis and defensive tackle Grady Jackson heading to free agency, the rest of the line is in a much more precarious position. If Trey Lewis can come back from a serious knee injury, he can help replace Jackson, but that's asking a lot for a player who's missed the last season and a half with two torn ACLs. The Falcons spent a high first-round pick on Jamaal Anderson just two years ago, so don't expect to see the Falcons take a defensive end in the first round, but they could use another pass-rushing defensive end to help fill the role that Anderson has been unable to fill in his first two season (two sacks in two years).

3. Offensive line depth. With Todd Weiner's retirement, Atlanta lost a valuable backup tackle who could step up and start without costing the Falcons anything. Atlanta also has to be careful to not lose Harvey Dahl, a restricted free agent who could be a target of team's needing line help. If Sam Baker can stay healthier in year two than he was in year one, the Falcons have a solid starting line, but they need to draft one or two young guys to give some much-needed depth.

4. Safety. Lawyer Milloy has been told that he won't be back, which means the Falcons need a new starting strong safety. Thomas DeCoud will likely get the first shot, but expect the Falcons to add at least one safety either in free agency or the draft.