Atlanta Falcons: Ranking Matt Ryan's Most Valuable Weapons in 2012

Matt Ryan is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He has some of the best targets out there too. From Roddy White to Harry Douglas to the running backs, the following are the top seven targets for Ryan in the 2012 season. 

The new offense from Dirk Koetter should be able to use these targets in a much better way than how they were previously used. Koetter will be running more screens and vertical routes to take advantage of the speed and hands that these players provide.

No. 1: WR Roddy White

Stats in 2011: 100 catches for 1296 yards and eight touchdowns

How Acquired: First-round pick in 2005

Prediction for 2012: 85 catches for 1200 yards and seven touchdowns

Roddy White has been one of the highest-targeted receivers in the National Football League for the past three years and that will continue in 2012. His catches should go down as his targets get spread out a bit more than in 2011.

No. 2: WR Julio Jones

Stats in 2011: 54 catches for 959 yards and eight touchdowns

How Acquired: First-round pick in 2011

Prediction for 2012: 75 catches for 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns

Julio Jones is a lightning bolt on the field with his speed and can take a catch 80 yards on just a three-yard slant. He should improve with more targets and in the new scheme that would have Ryan throw it deeper in 2012.

No. 3: TE Tony Gonzalez

Stats in 2011: 80 catches for 875 yards and seven touchdowns

How Acquired: Traded for 2010's second-round pick

Prediction for 2012: 65 catches for 700 yards and six touchdowns

Tony Gonzalez is the best tight end of all time. He will still be targeted a lot in 2012, but expect to see Harry Douglas start taking some of his carries and the screen game to take away some of the short routes that Gonzalez ran under Mularkey.

No. 4: WR Harry Douglas

Stats in 2011: 39 catches for 498 yards and one touchdowns

How Acquired: Third-round pick in 2008

Prediction for 2012: 50 catches for 700 yards and four touchdowns

Harry Douglas is one of the better fits for the slot receiver in the NFL. He has speed, hands and can run any route. Douglas was signed back as a bargain for just $10 million over the next four years and should be able to improve with more targets in 2012.

No. 5: RB Jacquizz Rodgers

Stats in 2011: 21 catches for 188 yards and one touchdowns

How Acquired: Fifth-round pick in 2011

Prediction for 2012: 30 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns

Jacquizz Rodgers reminds the Falcons of Darren Sproles in his play and it would make sense for them to use him very similarly to how the Saints use Sproles. Rodgers will be taking touches away from Michael Turner and should be able to provide what the Falcons haven't had under Mularkey and that's a true pass catching threat out of the backfield.

No. 6: RB Jason Snelling

Stats in 2011: 26 catches for 179 yards and one touchdowns

How Acquired: Seventh-round pick in 2007

Prediction for 2012: 25 catches for 200 yards and one touchdowns

Jason Snelling is a pounding runner but an agile receiver, and when he gets the ball he reverts back into his common bowling ball state where he tries to plow over people instead of get around them. Snelling should be able to help out as a screen blocker and receiver and should be able to gain yards to help offset the blitzes.

No. 7: FB Bradie Ewing

Stats in 2011: 20 catches for 246 yards

How Acquired: Fifth-round pick in 2012

Prediction for 2012: 20 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown

Ewing is one of the best receiving fullbacks in the draft in 2012 and should win the starting job right away. Ewing will be able to help out on both the screen game as a blocker and a receiver and could even line up as an H-back in some formations.