Multiple Falcons make Pro Football Focus’ top 101 players from 2024

Despite a promising start, the Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 season ended in disappointment. Head coach Raheem Morris still led the team to its best record (8-9) since 2017. More importantly, the Falcons saw growth from many of their core young players.

The future on offense looks especially promising. The team’s offensive line is one of the best in the NFL and there are playmakers all around quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The defense still needs some retooling but there are a few quality players, including safety Jessie Bates, linebacker Kaden Elliss and cornerback A.J. Terrell.

Pro Football Focus released its list of the top 101 players from the 2024 NFL season and four Falcons made the cut. Three of the four are offensive players and two are former top-10 picks. Bijan Robinson was the team’s highest-rated player at No. 15 on PFF’s top 101.

Bijan Robinson (No. 15):

Robinson lived up to the hype of being the No. 8 overall pick, finishing second in the NFL with a 92.8 rushing grade. He was one of just two running backs—along with Josh Jacobs—to rank inside the top five in both rushing and receiving grades. Robinson also tied Jacobs for the most missed tackles forced in the regular season, with 88.

Robinson definitely earned his spot by doing everything the Falcons asked of him last season. The second-year running back earned a higher PFF grade than Saquon Barkley.

In terms of complete backs, it doesn’t get much better than Robinson. Next up was guard Chris Lindstrom, who came in at No. 28 on PFF’s list.

Chris Lindstrom (No. 28):

Despite some struggles in pass protection this past season, Lindstrom remains the gold standard for elite run blocking in the NFL. The Falcons guard led the league in run-blocking grade for the second time in three years, earning an outstanding 94.6 mark in 2024. That grade isn’t just impressive for this season—it stands as the highest recorded by a guard in the past decade.

London came just three spots later at No. 31. It was the former USC star’s first 1,000-yard NFL season and his chemistry with Penix was off the charts in the final two weeks of the season.

Drake London (No. 31):

Since entering the NFL in 2022, London has shown promise, but 2024 marked his true breakout season. He surpassed the 90.0 PFF receiving grade threshold for the first time in his career, establishing himself as a premier playmaker. The 23-year-old receiver excelled at fighting through contact and winning at the catch point, finishing in the top five among wide receivers in both contested catches (22) and explosive receptions (33).

Last but certainly not least on PFF’s list was safety Jessie Bates III at No. 93. Bates was having a Pro Bowl season before the entire defense hit a rough patch late in the year. Bates is arguably the best free safety in the NFL and deserves his spot.

Jessie Bates III (No. 93):

Bates is another player to be voted to the PFF 101 in back-to-back years, continuing to provide this Atlanta secondary with a consistent eraser on the backend. The Falcons safety finished the regular season with the 14th-highest advanced coverage grade at the position.

The Falcons have a nice core going into 2025. With a quality offseason, which could include trading away Kirk Cousins, Atlanta could potentially make some noise in the NFC next season.