Returning stars

TE Kyle Pitts

Key veteran adds

QB Marcus Mariota

Key veteran losses

QB Matt Ryan, RB Mike Davis, WR Russell Gage, TE Hayden Hurst

Key draft picks

WR Drake London (8)

Analysis

The Falcons are in rebuilding mode after trying to see, hear, and speak no evil their way through last season with QB Matt Ryan. But the Boston College product is past his prime and lost his winning ways in Atlanta. QB Marcus Mariota is merely a stopgap, but you could find worse stopgaps. What’s really going to hurt is the roster turnover. Playable veterans find their way onto the team, but lack of continuity and no real plan beyond tanking for draft picks dooms their prospects. TE Kyle Pitts will get thrown a ton of balls.

Prediction: 4th in division. There’s no reason to expect a lot for this squad led by transitional QB incarnate Marcus Mariota.