NFL power rankings, NFC edition: Saints, Seahawks among the best

6. Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are where this team starts and ends in terms of being competitive.

The quarterback-wide receiver tandem remains one of the top three in the league, and ensures the team will have offensive effectiveness in 2020. When one pairs the Falcons duo with receiver Calvin Ridley, and the additions of tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Todd Gurley, it’s is clear the Falcons are committed to returning their high-flying offense.

They’ve added along the offensive line, too, with the selection of Matt Hennessey in the draft’s third round.

The team has really invested in the defensive side, though, starting with its first two draft picks of cornerback A.J. Terrell and defensive tackle Marlon Davidson. In addition, the team adds former first-round pick Dante Fowler to improve the pass rush. The defense, as such, should be improved in 2020.

The Falcons biggest barrier to playoff contention is the presence of the Saints in the same division. Even still, the Falcons should be able to secure one of the three wild card spots in the NFC playoffs.

5. Green Bay Packers

No team in recent memory has had a louder offseason without really making any substantive changes. The team dominated NFL media with their first-round selection of Jordan Love, but it really doesn’t make sense for people to be up in arms about it, given Aaron Rodgers injury-history and advanced age. It makes complete sense to try to protect themselves and plan for the future.

What does not make sense, however, is why the team continues to ignore the need for weapons around their franchise quarterback. Aaron Jones has proven to be a legitimate, workhorse running back and wide receiver Devante Adams is one of the best in the game but otherwise, there is nothing for Rodgers to work with here.

Despite the draft being amongst the deepest ever at wide receiver, the Packers refused to select one. Instead, they added running back AJ Dillon in round two when they could have taken any of several receivers still on the board with legitimate second-round grades. T

This team has been so close to the Super Bowl in so many seasons with Rodgers at the helm. However, instead of moving forward, they seem stuck in neutral, and its not good enough.