Four Falcons make ESPN’s list of 100 most valuable players

The Falcons 2024 campaign can only be seen as a total failure, especially considering the lead they had in the division, only to collapse down the stretch, a feeling all too familiar.

Raheem Morris made first-time head coaching mistakes despite this being his second go-around. The defense regressed despite being more talented than last year, and the quarterback position netted marginal improvement despite massive investment in the position.

It was disheartening to watch unfold, but there’s reason to be optimistic about the future in Atlanta because of Michael Penix Jr. While some need a larger sample size than three starts to be convinced he is a franchise quarterback, I don’t. I’ve seen enough.

The Falcons 2024 8th overall pick will be the signal caller in Atlanta for a long time to come, and the ancillary pieces around him are worth getting excited about as well, four of whom were acknowledged in ESPN’s list of the 100 most valuable players from this past season.

40. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

52. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

60. Jessie Bates III, S, Atlanta Falcons

91. Chris Lindstrom, G, Atlanta Falcons

Drake London had a career year, reeling in 100 receptions for 1,271 yards, good for fourth in the NFL, and nine touchdowns. It was the kind of season the Falcons envisioned when they took him 8th overall in 2022. His connection with Penix is already apparent and will only get better with a full offseason to work together.

Bijan Robinson also had a career year, recording 1,456 rushing yards, which ranked third in the NFL, on 304 carries. That’s nearly 5.0 yards per attempt. More impressively, he finished with 15 total touchdowns, which led the Falcons. Robinson also finished fourth in the league with 1,887 yards scrimmage yards.

Meanwhile, Jessie Bates III and Chris Lindstrom turned in yet another impressive season, one that ended in All-Pro honors for the latter but both deserved consideration. Bates and Lindstrom are pillars of this Falcons team, along with Robinson and London.