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ESPN's 2024 NFL top-100 predictions see six Falcons claim spots
By Saivion Mixson,
22 hours ago
With the Top-100 rankings from the players ending up being a dud, around a dozen ESPN experts got together and decided to make a top-100 ranking prediction for the 2024 NFL season. If your team has at least three players on this list, that team is probably in pretty good shape. The Atlanta Falcons are tied with four teams ( Detroit Lions , Philadelphia Eagles , Houston Texans & New York Jets ) for second-most in the poll with six players claiming spots on the list.
Here they are, the six Falcons that earned their spot on ESPN's top-100 ranking prediction:
94) Chris Lindstrom
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Quarterback Kirk Cousins is the leader of a new-look offense in Atlanta, but Lindstrom is the stalwart and one of the best guards in the league. The Falcons' offensive line is a strength, and Lindstrom excels at pass protection and run blocking. He'll be one of the guys tasked with opening holes for running back Bijan Robinson and giving Cousins the necessary time to find targets like wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. -- Marc Raimondi
Signature stat: Lindstrom, who has made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, ranked 16th out of 58 players with at least 200 pass blocks at guard in PBWR (93.4%) in 2023.
93) CB A.J. Terrell
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The former second-team All-Pro cornerback signed a four-year, $81 million extension, affirming the Falcons' commitment to him. Terrell has 36 pass breakups over his four NFL seasons, making him one of the league's most formidable corners. He hasn't had an interception since 2021, but that seems likely to change this season with Atlanta's additions on defenses, edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons.-- Marc Raimondi
Signature stat: Since entering the NFL in 2020, Terrell has played 3,636 defensive snaps, the most of any Falcons player over that span.
2024 projection: 53 tackles, 2 INTs
87) QB Kirk Cousins
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Network
The veteran quarterback comes to Atlanta, which has one of the best crops of young skill position players in the league. Running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts are all 23 years old and younger -- and all have been thirsting for more consistent quarterback play. Cousins should be able to provide it, making the Falcons a potentially dangerous team on the offense. -- Marc Raimondi
Signature stat: Since 2018, Cousins has had the third-most passing touchdowns (171) in the NFL, behind Patrick Mahomes (219) and Russell Wilson (173).
The 32-year-old Judon is coming off a season in which he missed 13 games due to a torn biceps but opened training camp with a clean bill of health. He had earned four straight Pro Bowl berths prior to that and totaled 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 in 2022. On Aug. 14, Judon was traded to the Falcons, who are hoping to improve on their league-worst pass rush. -- Mike Reiss
Signature stat: Judon ranks second in the NFL over the past five seasons with an 11.9% pressure rate (min. 1,500 pass rush snaps). Only the 49ers' Nick Bosa has a higher rate (12%).
2024 projection: 54 tackles, 9 sacks
71) RB Bijan Robinson
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports
One of the big criticisms of the Falcons last season under former coach Arthur Smith was how Robinson, then a rookie, was used. Robinson split carries with running back Tyler Allgeier and was not one of the team's go-to players in big spots. He'll probably still share with Allgeier at times in 2024, but new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has vowed to leverage Robinson's considerable talents on the ground and in the passing game. -- Marc Raimondi
Signature stat: Robinson's 1,463 scrimmage yards in 2023 were second among all rookies last year behind Rams' Puka Nacua and 10th most across the entire league.
Madden 25's top-rated safety should be even more settled in Atlanta for Year 2. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has sung Bates' praises, specifically how he can disguise coverages in practice. Playing against Cousins and big-armed rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in camp should only further sharpen Bates. And Bates has studied how best to be a leader in the offseason, which should add another element to his game. -- Marc Raimondi
Signature stat: Bates' 20 interceptions since his rookie season in 2018 rank as the sixth most in the NFL.
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