Which Falcons were named to PFF’s midseason All-Pro team?

The Atlanta Falcons spent a ton of money on their defense in free agency, and that’s where the team has shown the most improvement through the first half of the 2023 NFL season.

Safety Jessie Bates III has been worth every penny thus far, and defensive lineman David Onyemata looks like a steal. Despite a promising 2-0 start, though, things have gone south in Atlanta over the last month. After nine games, the team is 4-5.

Pro Football Focus released its midseason All-Pro team this week and three Falcons players made the cut. Bates was the only player named first-team by PFF:

Bates is proving to be a fantastic free-agent addition. He has the fourth-best PFF coverage grade and the fifth-best PFF run-defense grade among safeties. A complete player and playmaker, he has forced a pair of fumbles and recorded a combined five interceptions and pass breakups through nine games. — Gordon McGuinness, PFF

Aside from Bates, two other Falcons players cracked PFF’s midseason All-Pro team. Right guard Chris Lindstrom and punter Bradley Pinion were both listed as second-teamers by PFF.

Lindstrom has been very good but not quite as effective in pass protection and Pinion has gotten a ton of work this season due to the team’s offensive struggles.

You could also make a case for Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata and kicker Younghoe Koo, two of the best players at their respective positions in 2023.