It has been five seasons since the Falcons have been represented on the Associated Press All-Pro teams, the last being Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, and Vic Beasley after the magical Super Bowl run. Ryan won a league MVP while throwing for 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on 69.9% passing — all career bests. Jones caught 83 passes for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns, and the outlier of the group, Beasley, recorded 39 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 11 TFLs, six forced fumbles, and one touchdown — something he was never able to replicate.
That 2016 season was memorable for a number of reasons, beginning with the second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history and the first in this millennium. Not only did the Falcons have three players selected for the All-Pro team, but they also sent six players to the Pro Bowl. Kyle Shanahan won Assistant Coach of the Year, while Ryan took home three different awards. The entire city was buzzing for the Falcons, but it has been long since anyone from Atlanta was nationally recognized. Could anyone on this 2021 team be the first All-Pro selection since that otherworldly season?
Well, there is a shortlist of Falcons capable, but it isn’t impossible. The first two names that come to everyone’s mind are Cordarrelle Patterson and A.J. Terrell. The former has completely broken out in Arthur Smith’s offense, credit to the staff and front office for having a vision and executing it. The former All-Pro return man could be in line to earn his first as a running back, totaling 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. Patterson leads all running backs in receiving yards on 15 fewer receptions than the league leader. He’s been the first or second-highest graded running back by many outlets, including Pro Football Focus.Â
Much like Patterson, Terrell is experiencing a total breakout year. What’s different between the two emerging seasons is the stages each player’s career is at; Terrell is in his second season while Patterson is 30-years-old. The sky is the limit for the former Clemson Tiger. He’s allowing 3.5 yards per target, the second-lowest in a season since 2016 — just 19 receptions on 45 targets for 156 yards. Terrell is the second-highest graded corner by PFF, limiting opposing quarterbacks to complete a league-low 47.7% of passes.
No matter how exciting Patterson has been for the Falcons this year, Terrell is more likely to earn All-Pro honors. If he can finish the season the way he’s played thus far, there’s no doubt he’ll be selected. At the very least, he’ll be a second-team selection, but there is a decent possibility that he earns first-team honors. The only thing hurting their chances is the overall success of the Falcons. Good players on bad teams always have a more difficult time being recognized for individual awards.
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