Falcons Among NFL's Worst Young Cores?

ESPN recently ranked all 32 NFL teams' top-five core players, where do the Atlanta Falcons finish among the pack?

Following back-to-back 7-10 campaigns, the Atlanta Falcons' confidence to turn the corner is through the roof. 

A busy offseason saw the team add upon a young nucleus, drafting running back Bijan Robinson in the first-round and staying busy in free agency. 

But despite the optimism in Atlanta, ESPN recently slotted them No. 31 in its "Ranking Roster Cores," which included quarterback Desmond Ridder, wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, guard Chris Lindstrom and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. 

"London recorded a 63 overall score in our receiver tracking metrics last season, a very strong number for a rookie," ESPN writes. "Jarrett is a perpetually underrated player but is starting to decline, while Pitts still has major potential after a disappointing start to his career. Lindstrom is well regarded, though the pass and run block win rates aren't anything special."

Despite only finishing above the Arizona Cardinals, the Falcons core age of 24.8 was tied for the third youngest alongside the Carolina Panthers who ranked eight slots above them. 

And while its biggest free agency signing in safety Jessie Bates III did not make the top-five players, Atlanta expects the 26-year-old safety to lead this much-improved secondary. 

"But most of all, Ridder, a former third-round pick, remains a huge question mark," ESPN writes. "Safety Jessie Bates III was a candidate for the core, but I felt like the team made enough of a commitment to Ridder this offseason (by not pursuing real alternatives) to warrant putting him on the list over the veteran safety."

The Falcons look to claim its first NFC South title since 2016 and prove that their young core isn't as bad as ESPN says.

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Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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