There is good reason for the interest in the Falcons’ skill-position players. Atlanta’s offense was ranked a tier below the likes of New England, Green Bay, Detroit and New Orleans in 2011, but it could make up plenty of ground with breakthrough seasons from Jones and Rodgers, progress from Ryan and steady, healthy years from the over-30 crowd of Turner, White and Gonzalez — all very conceivable … if the offensive line has a better year.

That is a big if.

The biggest X-factor of all for Atlanta is its front five. Offensive lines are easy to gloss over when determining fantasy strategy. We are not drafting guards, tackles and centers, but the performances of players like Falcons OLT Sam Baker, coming off a poor, injury-plagued season, will help determine the fantasy fates of Ryan and company in 2012.

Aside from OLG Justin Blalock and ORT Tyson Clabo, there is little certainty on the Falcons’ offensive line heading into the preseason.

That fact should not send fantasy owners into an avoid-Falcons-at-all-costs tizzy. However, it ought to be in the back of their minds when it's time to craft a strategy for drafts.