The decade that is the 2010s will come to a close in little over a month. With that in mind, here’s a look back at the Falcons players who belong on the franchise’s all-decade team.
Offense
QB Matt Ryan: This decade, Ryan only has missed one game. That came in a 27-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks this season. Ryan has been the poster child for durability and has been consistent throughout his career in Atlanta. In 2016, Ryan was named the NFL’s MVP in a season that saw the team reach the Super Bowl. Through Week 8 of the 2019 season, Ryan has thrown for a career 48,890 yards and 310 touchdowns.
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RB Michael Turner: In the 2010s, Turner spent three seasons with the Falcons — 2010, 2011 and 2012. He scored double-digit touchdowns in each of those seasons and ran for more than 1,300 yards in 2010 and 2011. Turned began his career with the San Diego Chargers and backed up LaDainian Tomlinson for four seasons. Given a chance to shine as a starter in 2008, Turner concluded his nine-year career in the NFL with five solid seasons with the Falcons.
RB Devonta Freeman: Freeman has been with the franchise for six years, with the 2015 and 2016 seasons being his best. Sharing time with Tevin Coleman in both of those years, Freeman ran for 1,056 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015 and 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns. During this two-season span, he also made plays in the passing game, going for 578 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2015, and 462 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2016. Freeman received a hefty extension after the 2016 season as a reward.
WR Julio Jones: Jones is going to go down as one of the NFL’s best receivers to play the game. A near-impossible receiver to guard, Jones has finished in the top three in receiving the past five years. He led all receivers in yards a year ago with 1,677. Through the first eight games of the 2019 season, Jones was third in receiving with 712 yards. A consummate professional, Jones has earned the respect of his peers and two coaching staffs during his time in Atlanta. A day before the 2019 regular season began, Jones signed a three-year extension valued at $66 million.
WR Roddy White: Before there was Jones, there was White. White served as Jones’ mentor during their first few years together. And considering White’s output, there wasn’t a better receiver for Jones to learn from. The final three of White’s streak of six consecutive seasons with more than 1,100 yards came from 2010-12. His time in Atlanta concluded in 2015. In his career, White posted 808 catches for 10,863 yards and 63 touchdowns.
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TE Tony Gonzalez: During the preseason, Ryan told a funny story about Gonzalez early into their time working together. There were times when Gonzalez would tell Ryan he was open after a play, and when Ryan would watch the film, he’d remain perplexed as to why the Hall of Fame tight end would say that. As the two grew comfortable with one another, Ryan realized that Gonzalez was open far more often than not, even if a defender happened to be draped on his back. Gonzalez’s ability to catch contested throws and use his body to shield defenders from the ball offered such a unique skill set during his time in the NFL. He is often credited with revolutionizing the tight end position. Gonzalez spent five of his 12 seasons with the Falcons, catching 4,187 yards and 35 touchdowns from 2009-15.
LT Jake Matthews: Since he was taken in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Matthews has missed one game as a member of the Falcons, and that came during his rookie year. Matthews has shown steady improvement throughout his career and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season. From 2017-19, Matthews has played every offensive snap.
LG Justin Blalock: A model of consistency, Blalock played all eight of his NFL seasons with the Falcons. In that stretch, from 2007-14, Blalock only missed three games and started at left guard in every game he appeared in. Blalock committed only 26 penalties in eight years, with only 10 of those coming from 2010-14.
C Alex Mack: With the offensive line struggling mightily in 2014, the Falcons wisely signed Mack to a five-year, $45 million in 2015. And Mack hasn’t disappointed during his time with the Falcons. Still one of the best centers in the game, Mack proved his toughness by playing in the Super Bowl with a broken leg. This season, he’s battling through some discomfort from an elbow injury.
RG Chris Chester: Since 2010, right guard mostly has been a revolving door in Atlanta. The best stability the team got at the position, however, came in 2015 and 2016, when the veteran Chester was manning the position. Operating in Kyle Shanahan’s zone running scheme, Chester proved to be a solidifying force inside, which helped lead the Falcons to an NFL second-best 415.8 total yards per game in 2016.
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RT Ryan Schraeder: Schraeder proved to be a nice find for general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who acquired Schraeder as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Schraeder, who didn’t play high school football, picked up the sport and worked his way from junior college to Valdosta State to the NFL. From 2013-18, Schraeder started 73 games and earned a second contract valued at $31.5 million.
Defense
DE John Abraham: Abraham had a 15-year NFL career, with seven of those seasons coming with the Falcons. His final three years in Atlanta saw him record 13 sacks in 2010, 9.5 sacks in 2011 and 10 sacks in 2012. Those are numbers the Falcons can only dream of at the present time. Abraham was a disruptive force off of the edge who could be counted on for a big play in a big moment.
DT Grady Jarrett: If not for an unprecedented comeback from the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, Jarrett probably would have been named the game’s MVP with three sacks. Jarrett knows only one speed to play games and is constantly trying to outmaneuver his opponent. Since 2015, Jarrett has recorded 17 regular-season sacks, including three through the first eight games in 2019.
DT Corey Peters: Drafted by the Falcons in 2010, Peters spent his first five NFL seasons with Atlanta and proved to be a disrupter up front. From 2010-14, Peters recorded 146 tackles and 11 sacks. During his final two seasons with the Falcons, he added an additional 12 quarterback hits. Since leaving Atlanta, Peters has continued his career with the Arizona Cardinals.
DL Jonathan Babineaux: Babineaux played all 12 of his NFL seasons with Atlanta, with his final year coming in the Super Bowl season of 2016. Throughout his career, Babineaux logged 27 sacks and 91 tackles for loss. He actually recorded an interception in each of the 2010, 2012 and 2015 seasons. Babineaux played important roles on most of the Atlanta teams that went to the playoffs in the 2010s — 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016.
LB Deion Jones: Drafted by the franchise in 2016, Jones became an impact player almost immediately. As a rookie, Jones logged three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. His best season statistically came in 2017, when he recorded 138 tackles and ended up in the Pro Bowl. His 2018 season was shortened due to a broken foot suffered in the opener against Philadelphia. Jones did return to play the final five games of the season.
LB Sean Weatherspoon: While Weatherspoon battled through injuries during his eight-year career, he was quite productive when healthy. He recorded eight sacks during his first three years from 2010-12. In 2011, he totaled 125 tackles, with 14 going for a loss. Weatherspoon had two separate Achilles injuries, however, which caused him to miss the 2014 season and most of the 2016 season. While he spent the 2015 season with the Arizona Cardinals, his seven years with Atlanta concluded with 328 tackles and 24 tackles for loss.
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CB Brent Grimes: Grimes’ final three years in Atlanta came in 2010-12. In 2010, Grimes recorded five interceptions and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. He also recorded 87 tackles during the year. After dealing with injuries in 2011, he tore his Achilles in the season opener of the 2012 season. That would be the final game Grimes played for Atlanta as he signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins the ensuing offseason.
CB Desmond Trufant: Trufant was a first-round selection in 2013 and has offered the speed to stay on top of routes at the position. In seven years, Trufant has totaled 11 interceptions and 313 tackles. Outside of an injury-shortened 2016 season, Trufant has logged double-digit numbers in pass deflections, totaling 76 for his career through Week 5 of the 2019 season.
S William Moore: Moore was known for his hard hits as a strong safety. In seven years, he totaled 365 tackles, including 277 solo tackles. He also had a knack for finding the ball at times. In 2010, Moore recorded five interceptions. He totaled four picks in 2012, his lone Pro Bowl appearance. Moore forced 11 fumbles during his career, with every season spent in Atlanta.
S Ricardo Allen: After head coach Dan Quinn was hired in 2015, he moved Allen from cornerback to safety, which is where he has flourished since. Allen is often credited as being a vocal leader on the defensive side of the ball. He also helps mentor younger players in the organization. In six seasons, Allen has recorded 272 tackles and seven interceptions (stats through Week 8).
S Keanu Neal: While Neal’s 2018 and 2019 campaigns were cut short due to significant injuries, there is no denying the talent the young safety has, based on in his first two seasons. As a first-round rookie in 2016, Neal proved to be the enforcer-type of strong safety the Falcons drafted him to be. He logged 105 tackles and notched eight pass deflections. In 2017, Neal earned a Pro Bowl berth after recording 113 tackles and an interception.
Special teams
PK Matt Bryant: Bryant will one day be inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor. An incredibly clutch place-kicker, Bryant made 87.5 percent of his field goal attempts with the franchise. He has hit 38-of-52 field goals from 50 yards or longer with Atlanta since showing up in 2009. Nicknamed “Money Matt,” Bryant has long been a fan favorite. His time with the franchise came to an end in October, however, as the team released him.
P Matt Bosher: Bosher has been with the Falcons since the franchise drafted him in 2011. During his nine years with the team, Bosher has a punting average of 45.7 yards per attempt. Also important is Bosher’s ability to handle kickoffs and hold field goals.
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LS Josh Harris: Harris has been a consistent presence as Atlanta’s long snapper since 2012. In eight years, he only has missed five games. He was able to build a strong rapport with both Bosher and Bryant, considering the years they all worked together.
RS Devin Hester: The last time the Falcons recorded a punt return for a touchdown was in 2014 when Hester took one to the house against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also totaled 1,128 kick return yards that year. As a result, Hester earned a Pro Bowl trip.
(Photo of Matt Ryan (2) and Julio Jones: Frank Mattia / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)