Here are the franchise's five most valuable people for 2024:
5. Head coach Raheem Morris
Morris is entering his second stint as Falcons head coach after first serving as interim coach in 2020.
For Atlanta to snap a six-year playoff drought, Morris must tap into the same energy he brought early into his first tenure. After the team's 0-5 start under former head coach Dan Quinn in 2020, Morris won three of his first four games as interim head coah, but finished with a 1-6 stretch.
During that offseason, the Falcons interviewed Morris for the full-time job that ultimately went to Arthur Smith, whom Atlanta fired following the 2023 season after he went 21-30 in three seasons.
In his time away from Atlanta, Morris served as Rams defensive coordinator (2021-23).
4. Defensive lineman Grady Jarrett
A two-time Pro Bowler (2019, 2020), Jarrett is entering his 10th season, all with the Falcons. After starting every game from 2019-22, the fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft started eight games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
Thankfully for the Falcons, he has been a full participant at training camp.
The Falcons are moving to a primary 3-4 defensive scheme (three linemen, four linebackers) under first-year defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, so Jarrett's veteran leadership should make the change in defensive philosophies easier.
3. Running back Bijan Robinson
Robinson didn't waste time showing why Atlanta selected him with the eighth overall pick in 2023, scoring an electrifying touchdown in his NFL debut.
He gained 1,463 yards from scrimmage last season and is poised to take on an even bigger role in the offense this season.
During an appearance on NFL insider Peter Schrager's "The Season with Peter Schrager" podcast, Schrager asked Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (no relation) about the challenge of keeping Bijan fresh and not using him "every single play."
"100 percent that's ... a good problem to have," he said, adding, "You can give this guy the ball every single play, and he's going to make a play."
2. Quarterback Kirk Cousins
Cousins' free agency might have ended differently had he known Atlanta's plans to select his eventual replacement, Michael Penix Jr., in the 2024 NFL Draft. But he's still one of the team's most valuable people.
Cousins will turn 36 on Aug. 19 and is coming off a torn ACL, but he's a clear improvement at quarterback over Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder, the primary starters the past two seasons. It's difficult to imagine the Falcons having a viable path to the playoffs unless Cousins is in Pro Bowl form.
1. Safety Jessie Bates III
Arguably the best free-agent signing by any team in 2023, Bates has quickly become the heart and soul of Atlanta's defense.
The former Bengals safety was a key contributor to Cincinnati's run to Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 regular season, recording two interceptions during those playoffs, but he had his best season in 2023 with Atlanta.
Bates started all 17 games and had career highs in tackles (132), interceptions (six) and forced fumbles (three).
Following the team's first training-camp practice, Cousins gave Bates (and Jarrett) a ringing endorsement. Per Falcons senior reporter Tori McElhaney, Cousins said he planned on buying both of their jerseys "for my boys... if that gives you any idea of who I want my kids to be like."
If the rest of the Falcons defense is like Bates in 2024, it will be a force.
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