The Falcons aren’t known as a franchise with a ton of success in their history. But they have had some excellent players over the years.
In determining the top 100 players in franchise history, we considered a combination of individual performance and Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value stat. We only considered overall contributions for each player’s time with the Falcons.
Here’s the list:
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
100. DT Rod Coleman (2004-2007)
Before Jonathan Babineaux and Grady Jarrett, Coleman was the man destroying opposing team’s backfields from the interior of the defense. Coleman came to Atlanta as a big-time free agent in 2004 and showed his worth for the Falcons with 30 sacks in four years.
99. DB Rick Byas (1974-1980)
In the mid-to-late 1970s, the Falcons didn’t have a ton of playmakers in the secondary. However, Byas was one of the NFC’s best defensive backs from 1977 to 1979. He scored three defensive or special teams touchdowns in that three-year span.
98. DT Tony Casillas (1986-1990)
While known more for being one of the key components to the defensive line of the early 1990s Cowboys dynasty, Casillas started his career with the Falcons as one of the better run stuffers in the NFL. He wound up leaving Atlanta in 1991 for a better opportunity to win a championship.
97. S Bob Glazebrook (1978-1983)
The bottom end of this list includes a lot of solid, but not great, players who have contributed to some of the better teams the franchise has had over the years because they were good role players. Glazebrook was a traditional strong safety for the Falcons known more for his hits and run-stuffing than coverage.
96. RB Tevin Coleman (2015-2018)
While he played just four seasons for the Falcons, Coleman gave the team 3,350 yards from scrimmage and totaled 29 touchdowns to contribute to two playoff teams, including the 2016 Super Bowl team. Had he not been injured for the second half of the Super Bowl, the result could have been different.
95. OL Houston Hoover (1988-1992)
Offensive linemen rarely get their fair recognition on bad teams. Hoover may not have been a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he earns his spot on this list for his rock-solid play at right tackle and left guard during his five seasons in Atlanta.
94. CB Robert Alford (2013-2018)
The Falcons were in transition from Dunta Robinson, Brent Grimes and Asante Samuel when they took Alford in the second round in 2013. He rewarded the team with six seasons of solid play, including 10 interceptions and two returned for touchdowns. On top of that, he also gave Tom Brady his only pick-six in his nine Super Bowl appearances.
93. EDGE Vic Beasley (2015-present)
While he hasn’t had the most impressive career for the Falcons so far, Beasley has shown the promise to be one of the best pass rushers in team history. He’s eighth all-time in sacks among Falcons defenders and could be as high as fourth after this season. He’s a solid pass rusher and could be much higher on this list if he ever reaches his full potential.
92. LB Stephen Nicholas (2007-2013)
Nicholas might have been one of the best picks of the 2007 NFL draft class as a whole. After selecting him in the fourth round, the Falcons received what was very solid play from an outside linebacker in three different defensive schemes.
91. K Morten Andersen (1995-2000, 2006-2007)
Andersen is one of the best kickers of all time, hands down. He’s in the Hall of Fame and showed throughout his career why he belonged there. The Great Dane, as some fans have affectionately referred to him because of his 1998 heroics, will always be remembered fondly in Falcons history … even if he did start his career with the Saints.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
90. WR Wallace Francis (1975-1981)
After starting his career in Buffalo as a pure kick returner, Francis came to Atlanta for a better opportunity to feature within the offense. Francis then turned his experience as a returner into a quality career and finished it ranked third in receiving yards in a Falcons uniform. He ranks 10th all-time in the franchise’s history.
89. WR Alfred Jackson (1978-1984)
Jackson played at a time when Wallace Francis and Alfred Jenkins were leading the team in receiving yards and wasn’t exactly the guy who ever led the team in receiving yards. But he played a role. As a regular No. 2 or No. 3 option in the passing game, Jackson’s best attribute was his ability to capitalize in clutch situations including the red zone.
88. EDGE Kroy Biermann (2008-2015)
Despite not being the most athletic or the most powerful player on the field, Biermann showed his ability as both a linebacker and defensive end depending on the scheme. His versatility and ability to play a role in three different schemes for three different coordinators and still have a solid impact shows just how good Biermann was for the Falcons.
87. S William Moore (2009-2015)
The Falcons were missing a quality strong safety when Erik Coleman left the team in 2008 and needed to have a true playmaker for Mike Smith’s Cover-2 defense. They brought in Moore, and when he was healthy, he was a playmaking strong safety. If Keanu Neal can start creating turnovers at the same rate Moore did, Neal could replace Moore on this list.
86. OG Dave Scott (1976-1982)
Quality offensive linemen are hard to find. Dave Scott was one of the better offensive linemen in Falcons early history and started almost every game from 1977 to 1981. He was an integral part of the division-winning 1980 team that made it to the divisional round of the playoffs.
85. WR Bert Emanuel (1994-1997)
As part of the Falcons “Fun and Gun” offense of the mid-1990s under June Jones, Emanuel had the best seasons of his career. He’s arguably the best slot receiver in team history with his 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns during his just four seasons in Atlanta. It’s a wonder what could have been had he stayed in Atlanta for the 1998 season.
84. WR Harry Douglas (2008-2014)
Douglas was one of Matt Ryan’s favorite targets in clutch situations during the first six seasons of his career. He wasn’t an exceptional football player, but as both a returner and receiver, Douglas made an impact in Atlanta, including shouldering the load in 2013 when Julio Jones and Roddy White went down with season-ending injuries.
83. DE Brady Smith (2000-2005)
Despite starting his career with the Saints, Smith had his best success as a Falcon. He was the perfect complementary pass rusher for Patrick Kerney’s career in Atlanta. In six seasons, Smith had 32 sacks. An injury ended his time in Atlanta, but he was a solid all-around contributor to the early 2000s pass-rush crew.
82. CB DeAngelo Hall (2004-2007)
Hall had the best four-year stretch of his career with the Falcons, including two Pro Bowl seasons and overall solid play emphasized by his 17 interceptions, four defensive touchdowns and 228 tackles. Hall was traded for a second-round pick that led to Sam Baker and Harry Douglas joining the team.
81. WR Brian Finneran (2000-2010)
Finneran was one of the best possession receivers in Falcons history. He was a key component of the Falcons passing offense under Michael Vick. Once the Falcons drafted Matt Ryan, Finneran became a true clutch receiver on third downs and in the red zone.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
80. FB Dave Hampton (1972-1976)
With 3,450 rushing yards over a four-year span from 1972-1975, Hampton gave the Falcons one of the better power rushing threats that Atlanta has ever had. He was also a solid receiving threat with 800 yards through the air during those years as well. His 20 total touchdowns helped provided a consistent scoring threat in the early 1970s.
79. OG John Scully (1981-1990)
As one of the most consistent starters for the Falcons in the 1980s, Scully was the crafty interior lineman who complemented the talent of Mike Kenn, Bill Fralic and Jeff Van Note. Scully was a consistent starter and, outside of injury, was a solid blocker on a team that had a group of above-average talents.
78. LB Al Richardson (1980-1985)
While he wasn’t a starter in Atlanta for long, Richardson had a great year in 1980 that almost solely puts him on this list. His seven interceptions in one season was one of the best individual performances by a linebacker in Falcons history.
77. CB Desmond Trufant (2013-present)
Since being drafted in 2013, Trufant has been a consistent, top-line starter at cornerback. He needs to bounce back from what was a slightly down year in 2018, but should be able to return to form in 2019 with Dan Quinn calling the defense again. Trufant’s career isn’t over and could end up being rated way higher on the list a few years from now.
76. DT Don Smith (1979-1984)
Atlanta has had a few talented interior pass rushers on the defensive line throughout the years. Smith was the original bowling ball in the middle for the Falcons with 15.5 sacks his last three seasons with Atlanta. Sacks weren’t an official stat before 1982, but he was creating quite a bit of pressure and sacking quarterbacks before those plays were part of the stat sheet.
75. S Thomas DeCoud (2008-2013)
Despite being one of the lesser safeties in the run game the Falcons have had in recent years, DeCoud was an exceptional coverage safety. When he was tasked with covering the deep third of the field under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in 2012, he had a career year with six interceptions and nine pass deflections.
74. OT Sam Baker (2008-2014)
Baker was a key on the Falcons offensive line for the 2010 and 2012 teams that made it to the NFC championship games. Injuries were the only thing that derailed what was a solid career. Even though he did have holes in his game, the Falcons did get at least four solid years from 2009-2012.
73. WR Michael Jenkins (2004-2010)
While his most memorable moment was slipping in the 2011 divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Jenkins was a constant contributor to the Falcons teams from 2006-2010. He finished his Falcons career with 3,512 yards and 20 touchdowns receiving.
72. S Ray Easterling (1972-1979)
It took Easterling three years to go from earning a roster spot as a special teams reserve to a starting role as a safety in the defense. Once he had that starting role, he kept it for five years and played at a near-Pro Bowl level those five seasons. He’s one of the best safeties in team history.
71. OT Chris Hinton (1990-1993)
As a long-time Colt, Hinton signed with the Falcons before the 1990 season to play on an offensive line that needed a quality talent. He went from playing as an above-average left tackle to a two time Pro Bowl player and first-team All-Pro once he got to Atlanta as a right tackle and right guard.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
70. C Robbie Tobeck (1994-1999)
As a starting center and left guard for Atlanta, Robbie Tobeck showed why he was worthy of a Pro Bowl despite never being voted to one. Tobeck was the leader of the 1998 offensive line that paved the way for Jamal Anderson and the Dirty Bird offense.
69. K Matt Bryant (2009-2018)
Before he got to Atlanta, Bryant was a journeyman. But when he got to the Georgia Dome, he turned into Money Matt, one of the best clutch kickers in NFL history. Bryant has a legitimate case for the Hall of Fame, with the eighth-best field goal percentage in NFL history.
68. QB Bob Berry (1968-1972)
After quarterback roulette in 1966 and 1967, Berry earned the starting role in Atlanta and finally gave them a consistent starter. He wasn’t great, but he finally provided stability at the most important spot on the field. Atlanta has had better quarterbacks since, but Berry was a solid fit during those early years of the franchise.
67. OT George Kunz (1969-1974)
It’s rare nowadays that a right tackle heads to the Pro Bowl for five out of six seasons. Kunz was the best player on the Falcons’ offensive line during the time he was in Atlanta, and his consistently exceptional play earned him four straight Pro Bowl appearances from 1971-1974.
66. RB Devonta Freeman (2014-present)
After a pair of injury-shortened seasons in 2017 and 2018, the Falcons are hoping for Freeman to return to glory in 2019. If he can do so, he could be ranked even higher in future lists. Freeman is one of the best all-around running backs in franchise history and could be in line for a career year if he stays healthy in 2019.
65. WR Michael Haynes (1988-1993, 1997)
Haynes had one of the best careers for a Falcons receiver in history and finished in the top 10 in receiving yards. Haynes was one of the better deep threats in Atlanta history and had multiple catches over 80 yards in his Atlanta career. His explosiveness made him one of Atlanta’s greats.
64. C Jamie Dukes (1986-1993)
After three seasons as a reserve for the Falcons, Dukes earned his starting role as a center for a team that badly needed one. He started every game for five straight seasons from 1989 to 1993 and led an offensive line that needed direction at the time. He went on to have a successful career in television and radio.
63. CB Kenny Johnson (1980-1985)
The Falcons had one of the best playmaking cornerbacks in the NFL when Johnson was roaming the defensive backfields in the early 1980s. Johnson recovered seven fumbles and intercepted 16 passes in the red and black.
62. DE Lester Archambeau (1993-1999)
While he was a solid pass rusher with 31 sacks during his seven seasons in Atlanta, Archambeau’s biggest strength was as a run defender across from Chuck Smith on the exceptional 1998 defensive line. Archambeau may never be one of the biggest names in Falcons history.
61. C Alex Mack (2016-present)
Mack has played just three seasons for the Falcons, but in those three seasons, he’s been a warrior and played in a Super Bowl with a broken leg. He also started every single game he’s been under contract and brought a stability with him to a unit that didn’t have it from 2013 to 2015.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
60. DL Rick Bryan (1984-1993)
As a mixture between a 3-technique defensive tackle in the 4-3 schemes and a 5-technique defensive end in the 3-4 schemes the Falcons ran through those years. Bryan may not have been a great pass rusher, but he was a top-level edge-setter who could also shoot the gaps in the pass rush when the Falcons used him on the interior.
59. OT Warren Bryant (1977-1984)
Bryant is a good example of a solid, albeit unspectacular, player. His longevity for the Falcons of seven-and-a-half seasons was more impactful than the peaks of some other players. Bryant should have gone to a Pro Bowl or two in his career.
58. TE Alge Crumpler (2001-2007)
Crumpler is one of the best tight ends in Falcons history. He was the top receiving option for the Falcons during the Michael Vick era and put up 4,212 yards and 35 touchdowns during that time period. He was also a four-time Pro Bowl player. If the Falcons had never brought in Tony Gonzalez, Crumpler would be the best Falcons tight end of all time.
57. TE Tony Gonzalez (2009-2013)
In his five seasons in Atlanta, Gonzalez went to the Pro Bowl four times and almost surpassed Crumpler’s yardage while matching his touchdowns. A Hall of Famer, Gonzalez is the best tight end to ever play football and surpasses Crumpler as the best tight end in Falcons history.
56. CB Ken Reaves (1966-1973)
As one of Atlanta’s original Falcons, Reaves was a cornerback that is similar in build and talent to what Richard Sherman was like. He had 29 interceptions in his eight seasons for the Falcons and played like a Pro Bowl talent for the team during his time in the league. He is what the Falcons hope Isaiah Oliver can turn out to be.
55. TE Jim Mitchell (1969-1979)
While not the best tight end in any individual season in Falcons history as a receiver, he was a consistent blocker and receiver for the Falcons in the 1970s. Mitchell gave the team the framework for a modern tight end who could be a key contributor to the offense as more than just a raw blocker.
54. OG Kynan Forney (2001-2007)
During the Michael Vick era, the Falcons didn’t have the best offensive line. However, Forney was always one of the quality pieces that helped shore up the interior of the line and create blocking lanes for his running backs that weren’t there under prior linemen.
53. OT Ryan Schraeder (2013-2018)
Despite starting his career as a practice squad player, Schraeder turned into a key consistent starter during the 2014 season at right tackle. He became one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL during his third season in 2015. From that point on, he solidified the offensive line during Atlanta’s Super Bowl run in 2016.
52. QB Chris Miller (1987-1993)
Miller is arguably the third-best quarterback in Falcons history. During his seven seasons in Atlanta, he led them to one of their rare playoff appearances in 1991. Miller ranks third in both passing yards and passing touchdowns for his career for the Falcons and could have been ranked higher had Atlanta had better coaching during his time.
51. CB Ray Buchanan (1997-2003)
“Big-Play Ray” fits in well on this list. His seven years in Atlanta include the Falcons’ first Super Bowl appearance, 30 interceptions and a Pro Bowl appearance. The only way Buchanan’s legend in Atlanta could have been better is if he had intercepted more passes because someone like Deion Sanders was across from him.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
50. DE Jeff Yeates (1977-1984)
Yeates was one of the key pass rushers in Atlanta during his eight seasons in the city. He started with the Bills, and it wasn’t until he got to Atlanta until he got his career on track. Yeates’ pass-rushing ability allowed the Falcons defense to help guide the team to its first division title in 1980.
49. LB John Rade (1983-1991)
Rade started at strong-side linebacker for nine seasons in Atlanta and played one of the key roles on the team. Despite being outshone by the likes of Jessie Tuggle late in his career, Rade played his best seasons on the back end of his time in Atlanta.
48. DT Travis Hall (1995-2004)
As the key interior pass rusher for the Falcons during his 10 years in Atlanta, Hall provided 41.5 sacks to a team with excellent outside pass rushers in the likes of Chuck Smith, Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith. Outside of Rod Coleman, Hall is one of the better interior pass rushers in team history.
47. DE John Zook (1969-1975)
Zook was one of the better outside pass rushers for the Falcons during his seven years in Atlanta. He played before sacks were an official stat, but he was known for his ability to not just create pass rush but set the edge against the run. Zook also created 12 turnovers for the Falcons.
46. DE Chuck Smith (1992-1999)
As the second-best outside pass rusher in team history, Smith sacked quarterbacks 58.5 times — the second-most in franchise history. He was the key pass rusher on the 1998 team that went to the Super Bowl before finish his career in Charlotte with the Panthers. Smith now runs a pass-rush school in the Atlanta area with NFL and college-level clients.
45. LB Fulton Kuykendall (1975-1984)
The man known as “Captain Crazy” was exceptional for the Falcons during his 10-year career in Atlanta and was the leader of the 1980 defense. Kuykendall was a larger linebacker (6 feet 4, 225 pounds) who played more like a safety than linebacker at times.
44. OT Todd Weiner (2002-2008)
The Falcons traded for Weiner in 2002 to be the franchise blindside tackle that they needed once Bob Whitfield started to fall off in the 2001 season. Weiner locked down the blindside for every game he was healthy for during the seven-year stretch he was with the team.
43. OT Jake Matthews (2014-present)
After failed attempts with guys like Sam Baker at left tackle for Matt Ryan, the Falcons finally locked the role down with Jake Matthews in 2014. He has missed just one game during his five year career and finally went to his first Pro Bowl in 2018. Matthews career is just starting to take off and could vault him up there with Mike Kenn’s by the time he retires.
42. LB Joel Williams (1979-1982, 1986-1989)
Williams spent the middle part of his career in Philadelphia but had some of his best years with the Falcons. Williams created 14 turnovers with the Falcons during his eight seasons with the team. Williams had a couple of seasons with Atlanta that would have sent him to the Pro Bowl had the team been better.
41. LB Don Hansen (1969-1975)
Tommy Nobis was the primary linebacker for Atlanta during the years Hansen was on the team. The 21 turnovers he created in Atlanta during this time period helped the Falcons start winning as a fledgling franchise. Hansen and Nobis were a duo that would remind people of when Weatherspoon and Lofton were manning the Falcons linebacking corps.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
40. DE Mike Gann (1985-1993)
Gann’s 23.5 sacks and 12 turnovers created during his eight years in Atlanta helped the Falcons as one of their primary pass rushers during the late 1980s. Gann’s true impact was as a run defender with his ability to take on people on the strong side using his massive frame to set the edge.
39. QB Chris Chandler (1997-2001)
With the Falcons, Chandler had the best two seasons of his career. And he also had two of the best seasons a Falcons quarterback had ever had to that point. He finished fourth all-time in Falcons passing yardage and tied for third in yardage. His time in Atlanta was punctuated by two Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in team history.
38. RB Michael Turner (2008-2012)
“The Burner” was one of the best running backs in team history. While he wasn’t much of a receiver, he was a great pass blocker and overall rusher. He finished his Atlanta career second in team history in rushing yards and with the most touchdowns on the ground in team history.
37. CB Deion Sanders (1989-1993)
With Atlanta, Sanders was a three-time Pro Bowl player and two-time first-team All-Pro. His 24 interceptions and seven fumbles forced were only punctuated by his abilities as a return specialist as well. A Hall of Famer, “Neon Deion” tried to pull off the unprecedented feat of playing in an NFL and MLB game in the same day in 1992, but he stayed on the bench during the Braves’ NLCS loss.
36. DE Jeff Merrow (1975-1983)
While he played in an era before sacks were a stat, the ability to stop the run wasn’t quantified by it. Merrow was a key run stuffer and pass rusher despite being a bit undersized even for the era. He fit in well for the Falcons as a primary pass rusher, and he turned in a great career in Atlanta.
35. DT Mike Lewis (1971-1979)
During his nine years in Atlanta, Lewis was a key run-stuffing defender central to the defensive production. His ability to create double teams and forcing the pocket into the quarterback from the middle of it was crucial to defensive success during his years there despite what stats showed.
34. S Ray Brown (1971-1977)
Brown created 38 turnovers during his seven years in Atlanta while putting forth one of the better careers for a safety in franchise history. He was talented as both a coverage safety and a hard hitter. Brown is one of the guys in franchise history that the team had wished they could clone. In an ideal world, he’s the prototype for free safety in almost every modern defense.
33. LB Buddy Curry (1980-1987)
Much like Fulton Kuykendall, Curry was a larger linebacker who could play all around for the Falcons as a middle linebacker. Curry was never selected to a Pro Bowl, but he should have been to multiples through his career. If the team was better, he would have gotten the recognition he deserved.
32. WR Andre Rison (1990-1994)
“Bad Moon” was one of the best receivers in Falcons history. Rison’s 5,633 receiving yards ranks fifth in team history. He eclipsed 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in four of his five seasons in Atlanta. Four of his five Pro Bowls were during his time in Atlanta, along with his All-Pro selection.
31. RB Jamal Anderson (1994-2001)
In four of Anderson’s seasons in Atlanta, he eclipsed 1,000 yards. Two of the seasons he didn’t reach that mark were at the beginning of his career, when he was a backup. The only other seasons he wasn’t able to do so was during his injury-filled campaigns in 1999 and 2001.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
30. RB Gerald Riggs (1982-1988)
Riggs is the all-time leading rusher for the Falcons and ranks second all-time in touchdowns. His three seasons from 1984 to 1986 might be the best three seasons of any running back in NFL history. He wasn’t just a rusher, he also had nearly 1,400 yards receiving and three Pro Bowl berths.
29. DE Patrick Kerney (1999-2006)
Kerney was the best power rusher of the early 2000s for the Falcons. He turned in the third-most sacks in Atlanta Falcons history with 58. He also forced nine fumbles and even recovered another 10. His run of 42 sacks from 2001 to 2004 is one of the best stretches in team history that has been duplicated only by John Abraham since Kerney left in 2007.
28. RB Warrick Dunn (2002-2007)
Dunn’s 7,616 yards from scrimmage in Atlanta make him one of the best running backs for the history of the Falcons. He also scored 36 touchdowns during his time in Atlanta. The Falcons got one of the best running backs in NFL history for six seasons of his career. He should be considered for the Hall of Fame.
27. CB/S Scott Case (1984-1994)
As a cornerback, Case was a playmaker who created quite a few turnovers. As a free safety, Case was a similar playmaker but also a headhunter who knocked people’s blocks off. He’s another player who left Atlanta for Dallas for a Super Bowl win in the early 1990s.
26. FS Tom Pridemore (1978-1985)
During his eight seasons in Atlanta, Pridemore was exceptional as a safety and was a talented deep-third coverage player. He made plays on the ball often despite lower interception totals year to year. Pridemore is a legend for the Falcons, but there hasn’t been a better safety in Falcons history.
25. CB Bobby Butler (1981-1992)
As a raw talent, Butler wasn’t the same kind of player Deion Sanders was. But as a playmaker for the Falcons, Butler created the same kind of impact. He should have gone to at least three Pro Bowls during his career, but was overlooked because he was just under the Pro Bowl level.
24. OT Tyson Clabo (2006-2012)
Clabo was the rock on the Falcons offensive line from 2008-2012 during the five-year start of Mike Smith’s head coaching career. He was a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle and the mauler of the group with Harvey Dahl. Atlanta was only as good as it was those years because of how talented and solid Clabo was in that role.
23. WR Terance Mathis (1994-2001)
Mathis ranks third on the all-time receiving list for the Atlanta Falcons. He came to the Falcons from the Colts in 1994 and was one of the key contributors to the Falcons’ Super Bowl appearance in the 1998 season. His ability to stretch fields complemented Jamal Anderson’s grind-it-out style of running.
22. DT Jonathan Babineaux (2005-2016)
Babineaux was the perfect leader for the Falcons during their 2016 run to the Super Bowl. Despite not having the gaudiest of stats — 27 sacks over his 12 seasons — the impact he made with 91 tackles for loss and his pass-rush abilities was more than just his sacks. He is the standard for a Falcons interior pass rusher.
21. WR Alfred Jenkins (1975-1983)
Jenkins had an exceptional nine-year career in Atlanta, culminating in 6,267 receiving yards and 40 receiving touchdowns. He went to two Pro Bowls, but his talent as a receiver wasn’t just in his ball-catching skills. It was in his ability to draw coverages away from himself to free up other players like Alfred Jackson and Wallace Francis.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
20. OG R.C. Thielemann (1977-1988)
Thielemann was the franchise guard of the late 1970s and better part of the ’80s, and played at a near Pro Bowl level the entire decade he was in red and black. He was recognized for his efforts with three Pro Bowl nods and one first-team All-Pro recognition.
19. OG Bill Fralic (1985-1992)
The successor to Thielemann, Fralic started for the Falcons for eight straight seasons at right guard before heading to the Lions. Fralic was recognized for his talent with four Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro selections.
18. LB Greg Brezina (1968-1979)
The trio of Don Hanson, Tommy Nobis and Brezina might have been the best linebacking corps in team history. Brezina only got one Pro Bowl nod during his 12 years in Atlanta, but he gave the Falcons quite a few seasons that would have suggested he was worthy of a bid.
17. DE John Abraham (2006-2012)
Abraham is the Falcons’ all-time-leading pass rusher. For his entire tenure in Atlanta, he was the primary pass rush threat and led the team in forced fumbles almost every season. He finished his Atlanta career with 58.5 sacks and 24 forced fumbles.
16. QB Michael Vick (2001-2006)
Vick is the biggest case of what could have been in NFL history. His raw talents were so good, and he was one of the best quarterbacks in Falcons history. While he might not have lived up to expectations, his career 11,506 yards passing are fifth in franchise history with 3,859 rushing yards, good for sixth in Falcons’ history.
15. FB William Andrews (1979-1986)
The Falcons have had quite a few great running backs, but few were better than Andrews. Had he never suffered what were eventually career-ending injuries, he could have been the best running back in team history. His 5,772 yards over just five seasons on the ground was combined with 2,612 yards receiving for a great all-around career in Atlanta.
14. OG Justin Blalock (2007-2014)
In eight seasons with Atlanta, Blalock missed just three games. He was never voted to the Pro Bowl, but he was one of the top left guards in the NFC during his entire career. As an all-around solid guard, Blalock was a key contributor to the 2010 and 2012 teams that made it to the NFC championship games.
13. CB Rolland Lawrence (1973-1980)
Playmakers have been a hard thing for the Falcons to come by throughout the years, but Lawrence might have been the best one in the secondary during his eight year career. He has the most interceptions in team history and even recovered 13 fumbles.
12. LB Tommy Nobis (1966-1976)
If Nobis played for a team that made the playoffs, he would have already been in the Hall of Fame like his contemporaries. His five Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro nod gave him one of the best careers in Falcons history. Not bad for the man known as “Mr. Falcon.”
11. DE Claude Humphrey (1968-1978)
He was the 1968 Rookie of the Year, a six-time Pro Bowl player and two-time first-team All-Pro. He’s a Hall of Famer. And if the sack stat had been kept back then, he’d be considered one of the greatest pass rushers of all time with Bruce Smith and Reggie White. Humphrey was a monster in the 1970s.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
10. QB Steve Bartkowski (1975-1985)
Before Matt Ryan came around, Bartkowski was the best quarterback in Falcons history. He led the Falcons to three playoff appearances in a five-year span. Bartkowski is the second-best passer in team history, with over 23,000 yards and 150 touchdowns passing in his Atlanta career.
9. OT Bob Whitfield (1992-2003)
After being drafted in the first round in 1992, Whitfield was a reserve his rookie season. But from 1993 to 2002, he missed just one game, providing fringe Pro Bowl-caliber protection to whoever was the Falcons quarterback at the time.
8. LB Keith Brooking (1998-2008)
Working as a reserve linebacker as a rookie, and eventually a true weakside linebacker, Brooking was one of the best draft picks in team history. He gave them five straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2001 to 2005 and led Atlanta defenses for a decade.
7. C Todd McClure (2000-2012)
While the former seventh-round pick had to earn his role as a starter as a rookie, he showed his overall talent level during the 12 seasons he led the offensive line. He missed just four games from 2001-2012 while leading Atlanta to league leads in rushing and passing over the seasons.
6. WR Roddy White (2005-2015)
Two seasons into his career, White looked like a bust. But after Joe Horn mentored him in 2007, White turned into one of the best wide receivers in NFL history, finishing his 11-year Atlanta career as the team’s all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns.
5. LB Jessie Tuggle (1987-2000)
Tuggle was a Hall of Famer and the leader of the defense for over a decade. This Ring of Honor member is easily the best in the top five.
4. C Jeff Van Note (1969-1986)
Van Note’s 18-year career was the longest in team history. He went to six Pro Bowls and started 226 games. If there was anyone who should be a senior Hall of Fame nominee for the Falcons, it’s him.
3. OT Mike Kenn (1978-1994)
During his 17-year career with the Falcons, Kenn went to five Pro Bowls but could have gone to as many as 10. He played 251 games for Atlanta and started at left tackle in all of them.
2. WR Julio Jones (2011-present)
Jones is the best wide receiver in the NFL and has been that for the last five seasons. He’s going to finish his career as the best receiver in franchise history barring injury. He could even be the greatest wide receiver of all time before he’s done.
1. QB Matt Ryan (2008-present)
For a team that has never had a true franchise quarterback before him, the Falcons lucked out with Ryan. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history and is on pace for a Hall of Fame career. He just has to bring Atlanta a trophy to secure it.
| 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1| TOP |
