With the Top 100 rankings proving to be a flop, 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, and New York Jets) for second place in the poll with six players claiming spots on the list.
Here they are, the six Falcons who earned their spot on ESPN’s Top 100 picks:
94) Chris Lindstrom
Quarterback Kirk Cousins is the leader of a revamped Atlanta offense, but Lindstrom is the anchor and one of the best backs in the league. The Falcons’ offensive line is a strength, and Lindstrom excels in pass protection and run blocking. He’ll be one of the guys tasked with opening up holes for running back Bijan Robinson and giving Cousins time to find targets like receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. — Marc Raimondi
Signature statistic: Lindstrom, who made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, ranked 16th out of 58 players with at least 200 pass-blocking attempts as a guard in PBWR (93.4%) in 2023.
93) CB AJ Terrell
The former second-team All-Pro cornerback signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension, solidifying the Falcons’ commitment to him. Terrell has 36 pass deflections in his four NFL seasons, making him one of the league’s most fearsome cornerbacks. He hasn’t had an interception since 2021, but that looks likely to change this season with Atlanta’s additions on defense, edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons. — Marc Raimondi
Signature statistic: Since entering the NFL in 2020, Terrell has played 3,636 defensive snaps, the most of any Falcons player during that span.
Projections for 2024: 53 tackles, 2 interceptions
87) QB Kirk Cousins
Signature statistic: Since 2018, Cousins is the third-most passing touchdowns in the NFL (171), behind Patrick Mahomes (219) and Russell Wilson (173).
Projections for 2024: 4,014 yards, 25 tackles, 11 INT (117 yards/2 rushing TD)
86) EDGE Matthew Judon
Judon, 32, is coming off a season in which he missed 13 games with a torn biceps, but he entered training camp with a clean bill of health. He had already earned four straight Pro Bowl berths 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 their league-worst passing attack. — Mike Reiss
Signature statistic: Judon ranks second in the NFL over the last five seasons with an 11.9 percent pressure rate (at least 1,500 pass rush snaps). Only the 49ers’ Nick Bosa has a higher rate (12 percent).
Projections for 2024: 54 tackles, 9 sacks
71) RB Bijan Robinson
Projections for 2024: 971 yards, 7 TDs (573 yards/4 TDs receiving)
67) S Jessie Bates
Signature statistic: Bates’ 20 interceptions since his rookie season in 2018 rank sixth in the NFL.
Projections for 2024: 120 tackles, 3 interceptions
