Falcons are a prime candidate to be the best sleeper in 2020

The Atlanta Falcons were quietly good the second half of 2019, and the roster suggests a sleeper team could be in the offing.

Best-case scenario

Winning a Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. No, it’s not as crazy as it sounds.

While the Falcons have missed the playoffs over the last two seasons, this has been Thomas Dimitroff’s best offseason as general manager as he addressed every need the team had heading into the winter. Atlanta should be stronger defensively and already has the offensive capability to keep up with most teams.

Worst-case scenario

Injuries ravish the franchise for a third straight year, Todd Gurley has completely fallen apart and Matt Schaub starts eight games. Both Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn will be relieved of their duties and the franchise will enter 2021 with more questions from top to bottom.

If the team gets off to another poor start, it’s going to be hard for Quinn to keep his job. Last year, the Falcons began 1-7 leading to talk of his ouster, but Quinn survived. Tough to do two years straight.

Biggest offseason move

The addition of Hayden Hurst will have a huge impact. Matt Ryan is at his best when he can move the ball around the field and a tight end like Hurst gives Ryan his best weapon at that position since 2012.

Hurst will help a lot in the run game and will open up the field for Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in addition to what he brings to the table as a receiver.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

Former Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell has already made a name for himself in practice as he has had some spectacular plays while defending both Jones and Ridley.

The Falcons have desperately needed a top corner for quite some time and while Terrell will take some lumps, he will surprise a lot of folks around the league.

Overall expectations

This Falcons team is among the best in the NFC on paper.

This is a must year for Quinn and the players understand that. Ryan has a chance to be an MVP finalist after winning the award four years ago. Although the NFC South is loaded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, there’s reason to think Atlanta can hang.