6 Falcons who deserve Pro Bowl consideration

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Compared to most rosters, the Falcons have a pretty underwhelming personnel group, but somehow they sit one game under .500 with a legitimate path to the playoffs. Heading to San Francisco this Sunday, Atlanta has a chance to make up substantial ground in their quest for the final Wild Card spot. With such inferior talent, how are the Falcons even in this position?

The answer is a combination of favorable scheduling, good coaching, and just a few elite-level players. As we approach the end of Pro Bowl voting, it’s clear that several Falcons deserve to be recognized for their outstanding performances. I did a Pro Bowl possibles a month ago, but it’s been long enough that this list of potential Pro Bowl Falcons needs updating.

Since 1995, fans have been able to vote in some capacity for players they deem deserving of Pro Bowl honors, but before that, only coaches and players made those selections. Currently, players are voted in by the coaches, the players themselves, and the fans — each group’s ballot counts for one-third of the votes. As I said in the last Pro Bowl article:

“I believe the voting system is flawed to a certain extent, especially considering how much it can affect a player. Many incentives are tied up in Pro Bowl accolades; even Pro Football Hall of Fame voters consider how many Pro Bowl appearances a candidate has before inducting them into Canton. Still, it is a genius marketing approach by the NFL to give fans a chance to influence something happening in the league directly.”

 

The Falcons have a slew of players that deserve to be, at the very least, in consideration for Pro Bowl honors. Grady Jarrett, Chris Lindstrom, A.J. Terrell, Kyle Pitts, Younghoe Koo, and Cordarrelle Patterson are all garnering votes. Matt Ryan’s play has really teetered off in recent weeks; plus, being in the same conference as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Matthew Stafford doesn’t help.

Jarrett is an incredibly valuable piece for Dean Pees. He consistently disrupts offensive game plans; however, there are several other deserving interior defenders in the NFC, namely Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jonathan Allen, and Kenny Clark. With only three defensive tackle slots available, Jarrett will have stiff competition for one of the two final spots because we know Donald will be making the trip.

Lindstrom will excel in Atlanta under Arthur Smith, and he might make his first career Pro Bowl this year. He’s taken the next step in his third year, and though he’s given up 21 pressures, the former first-round pick hasn’t surrendered a sack all season. Lindstrom’s fierce competition for the guard slots includes Zack Martin, Ali Marpet, Justin Pugh, and Brandon Scherff, even though Scherff has missed some time.

Terrell has had a complete break-out year and will more than likely make his first Pro Bowl, thanks in part to the national recognition he’s deservedly received. The former Clemson Tiger will have his hands full, given the excellent cornerback play going in on his conference. Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Marshon Lattimore, and Trevon Diggs — whose flashy interception total will camouflage his entire body of work — are a few of the main challengers.

Pitts currently leads his position in Pro Bowl votes, giving him an excellent chance to make it in his first season. That, combined with the lack of tight end talent in the conference — with Dallas Goedert, Rob Gronkowski, and Max Williams being his only real competition — will likely get him to the Pro Bowl.

The last offensive player that deserves consideration is the versatile Cordarrelle Patterson, who has shown the league he’s capable of being an every-down impact player. However, he’ll have to beat out Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette, Antonio Gibson, Ezekiel Elliot, Aaron Jones, and Alvin Kamara at the RB position. Somehow, Zeke is leading the group in fan Pro Bowl votes despite having the worst season of everyone listed.

Kicker Younghoe Koo might go to back-to-back Pro Bowls with one the most trustworthy legs in the NFL. He’ll be competing with the likes of Graham Gano, Zane Gonzalez, and Jake Elliott.

Remember to vote in your favorite Falcons; you can click on the tweet below or go directly to the NFL’s website.

 

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