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ESPN’s NFL top 100 predictions for 2024 have six Falcons claiming a spot
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ESPN’s NFL top 100 predictions for 2024 have six Falcons claiming a spot

With the Top 100 player rankings proving to be a bust, about a dozen ESPN experts got together and decided to make a Top 100 rankings 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 a spot on the list.

Here they are, the six Falcons who earned a spot on ESPN’s top 100 prediction rankings:

94) Chris Lindstrom

Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​is the leader of a new 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 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 ​​the time he needs to find targets like wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. — Marc Raimondi

Signature statistics: Lindstrom, who made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, ranks 16th among 58 players with at least 200 pass blocks 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 extension, reaffirming the Falcons’ commitment to him. Terrell has 36 pass breakups in his four NFL seasons, making him one of the league’s most formidable corners. He hasn’t thrown an interception since 2021, but that appears likely to change this season with Atlanta’s additions to the defense, edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons. — Marc Raimondi

Signature statistics: Since entering the NFL in 2020, Terrell has played 3,636 defensive snaps, the most of any Falcons player in that span.

Projection for 2024: 53 tackles, 2 INTs

87) QB Kirk Cousins

Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Network

The veteran quarterback comes to Atlanta, which has one of the league’s best crops of young skill position players. Running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts are all 23 or younger — and they all crave more consistent quarterback play. Cousins ​​should be able to provide that, making the Falcons a potentially dangerous team on offense. — Marc Raimondi

Signature statistics: Since 2018, Cousins ​​has the third-most passing touchdowns (171) in the NFL, behind Patrick Mahomes (219) and Russell Wilson (173).

Projection for 2024: 4,014 yards, 25 tackles, 11 INTs (117 yards/2 TDs rushing)

86) EDGE Matthew Judon

Matthew Judon 08142024

(Brian Fluharty, USA Today)

Judon, 32, is coming off a 13-game season with a torn biceps but entered training camp with a clean bill of health, having earned four straight Pro Bowl berths and totaled 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 2022. On Aug. 14, Judon was traded to the Falcons, who are hoping to improve their league-worst pass rush. — Mike Reiss

Signature statistics: Judon ranks second in the NFL over the past five seasons with a pressure rate of 11.9% (min. 1,500 pass rush snaps). Only the 49ers’ Nick Bosa has a higher rate (12%).

Projection for 2024: 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 wasn’t one of the team’s go-to players in big moments. He’ll likely continue to split carries with Allgeier in 2024, but new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has vowed to utilize Robinson’s considerable talents on the ground and in the passing game. — Marc Raimondi

Signature statistics: Robinson’s 1,463 scrimmage yards in 2023 were the second-most among rookies last year, behind only the Rams’ Puka Nacua, and the 10th-most in the league.

Projection for 2024: 971 yards, 7 TDs (573 yards/4 TDs received)

67) S Jessie Bates

Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Network

Madden 25’s top-ranked safety should be even more established in Atlanta for Year 2. Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​has sung Bates’ praises, particularly how he can hide coverages in practice. Playing against Cousins ​​and big-armed rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in camp should only sharpen Bates further. And Bates has been studying how to best be a leader in the offseason, which should add another element to his game. — Marc Raimondi

Signature statistics: Bates’ 20 interceptions since his rookie season in 2018 are the sixth-most in the NFL.

Projection for 2024: 120 tackles, 3 INTs