Atlanta Falcons: Three players the franchise can’t afford to opt-out in 2020
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbloggingdirty-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2020-2F07-2F1196547829-850x560-e5477863eb3dc26f5ea994b6dc1ccdcbe145047dc2af2f5569c7e52fd4709de7.jpg)
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.