Atlanta Falcons: Grading each of the Atlanta Falcons 22 Starters

Giving each Falcons' starter a letter grade

Quarterback: A-

After two years of poor quarterback play, the Atlanta Falcons spent big on the premium position. Prior to his injury, Kirk was in the top three in passing touchdowns (18) and yards (2.3k) and top four in passer rating. He has the third-highest passer rating in the NFL since 2019 only behind Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers (two of the best quarterbacks of all time). He finished with six fewer passing touchdowns than the MVP, Lamar Jackson, despite missing nine games.

I know there are concerns about his injury but this is his first major injury in nine years. He should easily be a top-15 quarterback in the NFL next year.

RB: A+

Despite being grossly misused, Bijan still ended up with 1,470 yards from scrimmage (10th most in the NFL as a ROOKIE) and eight touchdowns.

Here is a thread of impressive accomplishments from Bijan's rookie season:

The NFL posted clips of Bijan just the other day calling him "a human joystick"

It's looking like Bijan and CMC were in a tier of their own last year...

Impressive numbers...

Now watch Bijan's first touchdowns. Juking the brakes off a solid linebacker in Luvie and then splitting two defenders for a touchdown. He only had a 10.7% chance of scoring on this play.

Bijan is an A+ player and y'all will see this year when he is used properly. Rumors are that he will be used like CMAC this upcoming season.

WR1: B+

I love Drake London. He is my favorite player on the roster, but I don't think he has shown enough to warrant giving him an A- (yet). With Kirk Cousins, I am positive he will finally break out. I expect him to have 10+ touchdowns this season in a better offense.

London is one of the best wide receivers when it comes to contested catches in the entire NFL.

This was with missing a game too, quite the impressive feat.

Look at this stat... wow

London will shock the NFL and cement himself as a top 15-20 wide receiver this year after an impressive showing with Kirk Cousins. I only have him as a B+ because wide receiver ability in the NFL is at an all-time high right now.

WR2: C

Good deep threat and speed but does not add much more outside of that. Hands are very inconsistent. Would be a good wr3 but a meh wr2.

WR3: D

This position could be Khaderal Hodge or Casey Washington. Regardless who it is, this position is not very good.

TE: A-

Recency bias is certainly one hell of a drug. People have already forgotten about Kyle Pitt's rookie season and it was only three years ago. In said rookie season he set the record for most yards by a rookie tight end EVER and the second most catches.

The last two years he has been dealing with injury and terrible qb play. Now he will be fully healthy, have a good qb again, and actually be featured in the offense. The sky is the limit for Pitts next year.

RT: B

The last lone offensive starter from the 2016 Falcons' Superbowl team. Has not missed a game in years and still a quality starter, only concern is his age.

RG: B+

A Pro-Bowl caliber guard in just his rookie season. He was also one of PFF's highest graded guards on the season.

C: B-

Solid center. Had high PFF grades but also missed a lot of snaps early in the season. Serviceable though.

RG: A++

Arguably the best guard in the entire NFL. Coming off an all-pro season. PFF's #1 ranked guard heading into the 2024 NFL Season.

He was also ranked top 50 in PFF's top 101.

RT: C+

Good to great run blocker but bad as a pass blocker. Got absolutely destroyed by the Panthers (week 1), Packers, and Titans defensive lines.

Edge1: A-

One of the best pass/edge rushers in the entire NFL. Arguably a top 10 pass rusher. Had 32 sacks in his Patriot career (38 games) and was third in the NFL in sacks in 2022 with 15.5 sacks. Made four straight pro-bowls from 2019-2022 and was on pace to make a fifth before his injury last year.

Had four sacks in four games in 2023 (on pace for 17 sacks) and since 2019 has the second highest pressure rate in the NFL at 11.9% (only Nick Bosa 12.0% is higher). Only reason he is at an A- instead of an A+ is his age (32 years old) and injury concern, but if he stays healthy he should continue to be one of the NFL's best at his position.

Edge2: B-

He was second on the team in sacks last season with 6.0 and that was with like only 33% of his snaps being pass-pass-rushing snaps. This season he should be much better with Jimmy Lake using him like an actual pass rusher.

DT: A+

Grady is one of the five-to-seven best defensive tackles in the NFL. Before Grady went down last year the Falcons had given up 0 (ZERO) rushing touchdowns as a team. After he went down the Falcons' run defense fell off a cliff.

Grady is easily one of the the NFL's premier defensive tackles.

NT: A-

Onyemata was third on the team in sacks. He is a big body run stuffer and an elite impact player on the defensive line.

LB1: B+

Nate Landman was truly the definition of a diamond in the rough. The undrafted sophomore was tied third on the team in tackles (66), one of only three falcons to record an interception last season, had a forced fumble, and two sacks.

He made timely play after timely play and was top 10 in pro bowl voting at linebacker.

LB2: B-

Tied third in the team in sacks, good tackler, solid in coverage. Kaden Ellis was hailed as "The NFL's best kept secret" last year when the Falcons picked him up.

CB1: A/A-

Not much to say about Terrell besides the fact that he is quietly one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL year in and year out. Also one of the best tackling corners in the NFL (look at week 2 and week 4 for proof)

CB2: C+

Clark Phillips is one of my favorite players on the entire roster. I can't rank him higher yet because the sample size is too small but he played great against the Buccaneers last year but had poor showings against the Saints and Panthers.

I have high hopes for the young corner and expect him to be great next season.

SS: A++++++++

The best safety in the NFL. Highest graded safety according to PFF.

Ranked top 25 in PFF's top 101.

He was an all-pro last year and had six of the Falcons' eight interceptions.

FS: A-

Elite ball hawk. Led the NFL in interceptions in 2023 with six. Had three interceptions and two forced fumbles last year, and in a "down year" was named second team all pro. Not the best tackler, and can get burnt in coverage, but two ball hawks in the same secondary is going to be scary for NFL offenses. Still a great player despite the age.

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