Sports
Sports

Ranking the 10 most important non-quarterbacks for Falcons, NFC South rivals

Wide receiver Julio Jones is the Falcons' most important non-quarterbacks, according to a Sports Illustrated poll of its NFL writers. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Wide receiver Julio Jones is the Falcons' most important non-quarterbacks, according to a Sports Illustrated poll of its NFL writers. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By Jeff Haws
June 9, 2017

Wide receiver Julio Jones leads the Falcons' list of its 10 most important non-quarterbacks, almost a unanimous No. 1 for Sports Illustrated's NFL writers, who ranked the top 10 non-quarterbacks for each NFC South team.

Jones easily outpaced his teammates, getting 48 out of a possible 50 points. The only other player to receive a first-place vote was center Alex Mack, a 2016 free agent signee who was ranked No. 1 on the ballots of both writers who didn’t rank Jones there.

The rest of the top five for the Falcons was linebacker Vic Beasley, cornerback Desmond Trufant -- who was out with a pectoral injury after Week 9 last season -- running back Devonta Freeman and Mack.

As for the rest of the division, Sports Illustrated ranked linebacker Luke Kuechly first for the Carolina Panthers, defensive end Cameron Jordan first for the New Orleans Saints, and wide receiver Mike Evans at the top for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

About the Author

Jeff Haws
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) shoots a 3-point basket over Dallas Wings guard Tyasha Harris (52) during the second half in a WNBA basketball game at Gateway Center Arena, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Atlanta. Atlanta Dream won 83-75 over Dallas Wings. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Allisha Gray scores 25 points to lead the Dream to road win over the Sparks

Summer could see Atlanta pro teams flip the script into contention

As summer starts, hope springs eternal for the Dream and Braves, who are both hovering around .500, and the Falcons head to OTAs knowing Michael Penix Jr. is their quarterback

Dream dominate Sun on second day of back-to-back games

The Latest

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson (28) is greeted by Sean Murphy after hitting a solo home run against Washington Nationals pitcher Mitchell Parker during the first inning of a baseball game in Washington, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Credit: AP

Atlanta TV sports listings

Sports Daily: Doing right by Dikembe

Sports Daily: Counting Braves wins (and losses)

Featured

Savannah Chrisley, daughter of former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, speaks outside the Federal Prison Camp on May 28, 2025, in Pensacola, Fla. President Donald Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were found guilty of defrauding banks out of $36 million and hiding millions in earnings to avoid paying taxes. (Dan Anderson/AP)

Credit: Dan Anderson/AP

Trump’s pardons may backfire, former federal prosecutors warn

The president's actions could erode faith in the justice system and deter federal investigators and prosecutors, Atlanta attorneys say.

A Georgia kid placed 3rd in national spelling bee. He hopes to return in 2026.

Georgia fifth grader Sarv Dharavane placed third in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the youngest participant to make the final round.

South Georgia mayor among those arrested, indicted for election interference

Prosecutors say Owens and the 2 election officials improperly blocked voters from casting ballots in a special election. Polling places were locked the morning of the vote.