The 2023 season for the Atlanta Falcons was an abject disaster. Given the expectations, the opportunities, the electricity surrounding the team, having it end unceremoniously with a 7-10 record like the two seasons preceding it, was as disappointing as it can get. The passing offense felt disjointed, the running game couldn’t get going, the defense looked good at times, but had lapses in coverage without a consistent pass rush. The tumultuous nature of this team led them to not meet expectations and given the abundance of the talent on the roster, that should not have been the case.
Despite all that, the Falcons were still represented fairly well in Pro Football Network’s Top-100 NFL players ranking , considering how traumatic an experience that season was for Atlanta fans.
The Falcons had three players recognized as top-100 players in the league:
- Bijan Robinson (76)
- Chris Lindstrom (41) and
- Jessie Bates (39)
Robinson overcame the musical chairs at the quarterback position to outgain every rookie not named Puka Nacua in yards from scrimmage last season.
Don’t judge Bijan Robinson on his counting statistics alone. While he didn’t clear 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie campaign, the Falcons only asked him to carry the ball 214 times. With fellow RB Tyler Allgeier handling 186 carries, Robinson didn’t have the opportunity to put up gaudy rookie year numbers.
However, he still managed 1,463 total yards, more than any other rookie RB in 2023. Robinson passed the eye test every week and could be an All-Pro if Atlanta’s new coaching staff gives him more touches in 2024.
Despite a directionless offense, right guard Chris Lindstrom turned heads and contended to be one of the top guards and offensive linemen in the NFL.
Chris Lindstrom had always been a powerful run blocker, but his work in the passing game showed clear improvement in 2023. He allowed just 15 pressures and three sacks on more than 500 pass-blocking snaps.
Lindstrom’s spatial awareness and functional strength make him an asset on the inside of an underrated Falcons offensive line.
One of Atlanta's lone highlights last season was their defense, led by free-agent acquisition Jessie Bates III. Bates was clearly one of the best defenders and showed a knack for causing turnovers and getting the ball back to the Atlanta offense.
After five excellent years with the Bengals, Jessie Bates III joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and put up the best campaign of his career. He registered more ball production than ever before, finishing second among safeties with six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in a Week 12 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Bates truly thrives in a single-high role. He can sit back and read the quarterback’s intentions while driving on dig routes and defending the post. Atlanta is changing coordinators in 2024, but Bates fits any defensive system.
2023 was disappointing. There’s no way to remedy that. It’s in the past. But with the talent on this roster, let’s hope that 2024 sees a few more names like Drake London and Kyle Pitts find their way onto lists like these.
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