The Falcons had three selections in ESPN's Top 100 Players of 2022: A.J. Terrell (46), Kyle Pitts (70) and Grady Jarrett (98).
All three are vitally important to the core foundation of what Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith are building in Atlanta.
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Terrell finished the 2021 season as one of the most productive (and shut down) young corners in the league. His top-50 slot at No. 46 shouldn't be much of a surprise. As ESPN noted, Terrell allowed the lowest completion rate (41 percent) and the lowest yards per target (4.1 yards) of any defensive back in the league last year, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Meanwhile, Pitts' 2021 was a record-breaking year for the tight end in his rookie year. As a first-time Pro Bowl selection, Pitts finished 2021 as only the second rookie tight end in NFL history to surpass the 1,000 receiving yard mark. Only Mike Ditka in 1961 was ahead of him.
Then, there's Jarrett, who's 2021 season wasn't as productive statistically as we've seen him be in the past. However, no one can overlook Jarrett as one of the best active players along the defensive interior in the league. Jarrett was consistently doubled - even triple - teamed throughout majority of 2021. He was still a force to be reckoned with, and opposing teams know it. Jarrett came in at No. 98 after being ranked No. 55 last year, but make no mistake about it: He's just as lethal at No. 98 as his was at No. 55. It's up to the Falcons defense around Jarrett to help him out in 2022.
You can check out the entire list of ESPN's Top 100 Players of 2022 here.
Getting ready to bring the heat to Detroit #RiseUp
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge Arnold Ebiketie #47 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins #32 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Feleipe Franks #15 and tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Beau Brinkley #44 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons free safety Dean Marlowe #21 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Damien Williams #6 works out during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Auden Tate #19 works out during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 runs the ball during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebackers coach Frank Bush works with inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 and inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Henry Black #36 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
General view as players run sprints after AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 and cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Teez Tabor #20 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Germain Ifedi #74 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Stanley Berryhill #80 works out during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson #65 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 breaks down a huddle during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Overall view of practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 and running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge Arnold Ebiketie #47 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 lifts during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
The YMCA of Metro Atlanta was in attendance during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 8, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
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