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Atlanta Falcons: Three players the franchise can’t afford to opt-out in 2020

By Jeff Benedict

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (not pictured) and returning it for a touchdown to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-22 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (not pictured) and returning it for a touchdown to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-22 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Falcons
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (not pictured) and returning it for a touchdown to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-22 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Deion Jones

Deion is the best cover linebacker in the NFL and that is despite having a quiet year in 2019. The defense was essentially all Grady Jarrett and Deion Jones.

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff did a great job of surrounding Jones with talents such as Deone Bucannon and Marlon Davidson as well as getting Keanu Neal back from a major injury that will allow Jones to play free from his middle linebacker spot and that will be a scary thing for opposing offenses.

With all the offensive talent in the NFC South – Christian McCaffrey, Rob Gronkowski, and Alvin Kamara among others – Deion is going to be very important to the success of first-year defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and what he wants to do scheme-wise.

Should Jones decide that opting out is what is best for him, it would leave the Atlanta Falcons in a world of hurt and there isn’t anyone on this roster or from a free agent standpoint that could fill the void that he would leave in 2020.

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