With the regular season fast approaching, the Atlanta Falcons look to make their presence felt across the NFL.
While they haven’t made the postseason in over five years, that doesn’t mean they don’t have an abundance of talented players. There are, in fact, multiple outstanding players on both the offense and defense. In this specific piece, we will rank the top five best overall players on the Atlanta Falcons. So, here we go:
5. Drake London, Wide Receiver
The team’s WR1. London has yet to reach 1,000 receiving yards—mostly due to poor quarterback play—but he has still shown elite skills for a pass catcher in his two years with the team. With his height, reliability, and 62.7% catch rate, London is likely going to have his breakout year, especially with Kirk Cousins throwing him the rock. The best is yet to come for the former USC standout.
4. Bijan Robinson, Running Back
Having only played one season in the league so far, Robinson is as magnificent as they come. Robinson didn’t have over-the-moon stats, but he created many memorable moments for himself in year one. With all five starters on the offensive line still intact, a much better quarterback, and an offensive coordinator that expects to feature Robinson as a main part of the offense, expect the human-highlight-reel to achieve 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2024.
3. Kirk Cousins, Quarterback
The team’s brand new QB for at least the next two years. Cousins plays the most important position in the league, and he does it well, as Cousins has consistently been a top 15 QB in the league. He unfortunately missed half of the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles, but Cousins hopes to be ready by Week 1 for the upcoming season in 2024. With a tremendous supporting cast on offense, Cousins could help lead the team to its first postseason appearance since 2018, in just his first year in Atlanta.
2. Jessie Bates III, Safety
The only defensive player cracking this top five list. Bates is without question a top three safety in the entire league, and last season he proved it even further. Bates was all over the field in 2023, as he finished the year with six interceptions (third best in the league), one pick-six, three forced fumbles, and 11 passes deflected. Bates earned NFLPA All-Pro honors as well as being voted to the 2023 Pro Bowl. Bates will continue to be a leader on the defensive side and should pick up right where he left off last year.
1. Chris Lindstrom, Offensive Guard
Lindstrom has been the best and most consistent offensive lineman for the Falcons since getting drafted in 2019. Lindstrom is an absolute force on the offensive line, being one of, if not, the best run-blocker in the league, while also improving his work as a pass-blocker. Lindstrom signed a five year, $105 million contract extension last offseason, remaining with the team until the 2028 season. Lindstrom is the best overall player for the Atlanta Falcons, and he could keep his spot at No. 1 with another astonishing season in 2024.
Honorable Mentions
- Grady Jarrett, DL
- Kyle Pitts, TE
- A.J. Terrell, CB
- Nate Landman, ILB
