We’re closing in on a decade since the Atlanta Falcons last made the NFL playoffs, leaving the glory days of the franchise well in the rearview and an uncertain future of what’s to come out in front of the state’s lone professional football franchise.
Fresh off a third straight 7-10 campaign, it’s worth wondering what incoming coach Raheem Morris will accomplish in Atlanta in 2024 as the franchise looks to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017, when they fell in the NFC Divisional round to Philadelphia Eagles.
With the offseason in full swing, it allows us to take a step back and look at some fun historic takes on the NFL franchise — like the always-loved Mount Rushmore.
Utilizing ProFootballReference.com, BetGeorgia.com took a quick break from Georgia sports betting updates and developed the Atlanta Falcons’ Mount Rushmore of the past decade. The players included had to have played for the Falcons for at least three years during this time period, and it is based on their Approximate Value (from ProFootballReference) during those years with the team.
Atlanta Falcons Mount Rushmore of Last Decade: 2014-2024
Who Is On Falcons’ Most Recent Mount Rushmore?
The top Falcons player over the last decade is future Hall of Fame quarterback Matt Ryan, who amassed an approximate value of 117 between 2014 and when he retired in 2021, to go with the 93 AV he accumulated prior to that. He was key to the Falcons playoff chances for many seasons.
Ryan’s 117 AV dwarfed the next closest Atlanta player during the last 10 years, with fellow future Hall of Fame inductee Julio Jones being the next closest with a career total of 91 AV between 2014 and 2020.
Rounding out the four-man list from the past decade in Atlanta was offensive tackle Jake Matthews, who had 86 AV in his first 10 NFL seasons between 2014 and 2023. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett notched 60 AV between 2014 and 2023 to earn the fourth spot.
Ryan and Jones were both among the NFL’s best at their respective positions during their playing careers, with the former winning an MVP and making an NFL All-Pro team, while the latter was a two-time All-Pro team member while making seven Pro Bowl appearances.
Matthews, meanwhile, made one Pro Bowl appearance during his first 10 years in the league, while Jarrett has reached the Pro Bowl twice in his first decade in the NFL, with the defensive tackle from Conyers having a shot at running it back with the Falcons in 2024.
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