Ranking Atlanta Falcons 10 best players halfway through the season

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Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is hit after a slide by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

10) Deion Jones – LB

This one might be controversial among Atlanta Falcons fans, there has been a strong narrative around Debo that he has played horrendously this season, but there is more to the story than just that.

Has this been the season that Deion Jones wanted? Absolutely not, he has made a few big mistakes, most notably when he missed a tackle against Washington that ended up sealing the win for Washington.

Since then, however, he has played a lot better, outside of his game against Dallas. He has been more deliberate in his decisions resulting in less crucial mistakes and more solid play.

He is still one of the best playmaking linebackers in the entire NFL. He has a knack for getting his hands on the football, expect to see a couple interceptions by him down the stretch of the season, and hopefully, he will be able to break the NFL record that he is so close to.

9) Jake Matthews – LT

Jake Matthews has been the constant among the Falcons offensive line for what seems like forever, and he continues to show why the team has not considered replacing him.

If Matt Ryan has trust in anyone, it is Matthews, he allows Ryan to turn his back on the left side and trust that he will not be blown up from a blindside hit. He is crucial to this offensive line, without him it would change the dynamics of the offense exponentially.

If there is one thing holding Matthews up it is his run blocking, he struggles to match defenders when trying to attack them to spring a runner, but he more than makes up for it in his consistent pass protection.

If there is one the Falcons would rather have, it would be the pass protection. It is harder to come by and it is vital in keeping your quarterback healthy.

8) Grady Jarrett – DT

This has not been the dominant year that the Falcons were eyeing at the start of the year for Grady Jarrett, but he is still a great player for a position that needs all the help they can get.

Grady has not been that flashy player we are accustomed to seeing from him. There was one play against the Giants in the red zone where he sacked Daniel Jones that was flashy, but past that it is hard to think of a single play where he has made the eye-popping play.

However, that is pretty normal for an interior defensive lineman, and despite that fact, he continues to be one of the most consistent players in the NFL. The team would never be better without him in the starting lineup, no way around it.

He is the leader of the defense and will continue to be for the next while.

7) Jaylinn Hawkins – SS

Jaylinn Hawkins has been a player who is rotated in and out of the Falcons lineup but should be starting from the first snap of each and every game.

He has made play after play during the past few weeks and has been the best safety the team has. Not to mention, he has been one of Pro Football Focus’s top-graded safeties to this point in the season.

There is not a single reason that he should be out of the starting lineup, he is young and possibly the future of the position for the Atlanta Falcons.

He also has shown he is the only safety they have that can actually catch the ball when given the opportunity, he had two straight games with an interception a few weeks ago.

Some people may have expected a jump in his play, but to this degree is not something that could have been predicted.

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