After dropping to a 4-12 record last season, expect the Falcons “grit and toughness” offseason campaign to continue in the draft.
The Falcons have 10 picks in the draft, which is set for Thursday through Saturday, and they are primed to address both the offensive and defensive lines.
They also have needs at tight end, running back and free safety.
Here’s a look at the team’s needs:
Offensive line
Projected starters: Left tackle Sam Baker, left guard Justin Blalock, center Joe Hawley, right guard Jon Asamoah, right tackle Mike Johnson or Lamar Holmes.
Key reserves: Peter Konz and Ryan Schraeder.
Need area: Yes.
Why: After Johnson went down with an injury, Holmes and Ryan Schraeder saw plenty of action last season. The Falcons gave up 44 sacks and ranked last in rushing in 2013.
Candidates: All three of the top tackles in the draft — Auburn's Greg Robinson, Texas A&M's Jake Matthews and Michigan's Taylor Lewan — could compete for the starting right tackle spot as a rookie.
Running back
Projected starters: Running back Steven Jackson and fullback Patrick DiMarco.
Key reserves: Jacquizz Rodgers.
Need area: Yes.
Why: The Falcons may be ignoring warning signs that Jackson, who turns 31 in July, is near the end of his illustrious career. He's had soft-tissue injuries in each of the past three seasons and averaged only 3.5 yards per carry last season. The Falcons averaged 77.9 yards rushing per game, last in the NFL in 2013.
Candidates: The Falcons heavily scouted Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, West Virginia's Charles Sims and Towson State's Terrance West.
Wide receivers
Projected starters: Julio Jones and Roddy White.
Key reserves: Harry Douglas, Drew Davis, Devin Hester and Darius Johnson.
Need area: No.
Why: The Falcons are being cautious, but fully expect Jones (foot surgery) to return to good health in 2014. While Jones was out with an injury and White was recovering from a high ankle sprain last season, Douglas had a 1,000-yard receiving season. Backups Davis and Johnson also developed. If Jones and White are healthy, the Falcons will have one of the better tandems in the NFL.
Candidates: Falcons don't project to select a wide receiver.
Tight ends
Projected starter: Bear Pascoe or Levine Toilolo.
Need area: Yes.
Why: The incomparable Tony Gonzalez has retired. The Falcons know they can't replace him, but at the very least, they believed they added a blocker in Pascoe.
Candidates: The Falcons scouted Texas Tech's Jace Amaro, Iowa's C.J. Fiedorowicz and USC's Xavier Grimble.
Quarterbacks
Projected starter: Matt Ryan.
Key reserve: Dominique Davis.
Need area: No.
Why: Matt Ryan is the franchise quarterback, and the Falcons seem content to continue with Dominique Davis as the backup.
Candidates: Boston College's Chase Rettig, South Carolina's Connor Shaw, Oklahoma State's Clint Chelf and SMU's Garrett Gilbert have been scouted by the Falcons.
Defensive line
Projected starters: Right defensive end Kroy Biermann, defensive tackles Paul Soliai and Jonathan Babineaux, left defensive end Tyson Jackson (run) and Osi Umenyiora (pass).
Key reserves: Corey Peters, Jonathan Massaquoi and Peria Jerry.
Need area: Yes.
Why: The Falcons must improve their pass rush after ranking 25th in the league in sacks per pass attempt last season. The Falcons added stoutness in free agency, and that should make it easier for their edge rushers to get sacks.
Candidates: If the Falcons can't trade up to land South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney look for them to address the need for a pass rusher in the second round with a player such as Auburn's Dee Ford.
Linebackers
Projected starters: Strongside Joplo Bartu, middle Paul Worrilow and weakside Sean Weatherspoon.
Key reserve: Akeem Dent.
Need area: Yes.
Why: The Falcons added stoutness in free agency, and that should make it easier for the linebackers to flow to the ball. However, Weatherspoon has a lingering knee injury which must be disconcerting.
Candidates: Ohio State's Ryan Shazier was in for a visit. UCLA's Anthony Barr, Florida State's Telvin Smith and Arizona State's Carl Bradford had private workouts or visited.
Secondary
Projected starters: Left cornerback Robert Alford, strong safety William Moore, free safety Dwight Lowery, right cornerback Desmond Trufant and nickel Josh Wilson.
Key reserves: Javier Arenas and Robert McClain.
Need area: Yes.
Why: The Falcons released Thomas DeCoud, and the spot next to William Moore is vacant. The Falcons did sign free-agent Dwight Lowery.
Candidates: The Falcons had Louisville's Calvin Pryor in for a visit, and they saw Washington State's Deone Bucannon and Vanderbilt's Kenny Ladler when the Falcons' staff coached at the Senior Bowl.
Special teams
Projected starters: Kicker Matt Bryant, punter Matt Bosher, long snapper Josh Harris and returner Hester.
Need area: No.
Why: Bryant and Bosher are strong, and Hester was a key free-agent pickup.
Candidates: No known candidates.
