Falcons have just one of NFL's top-10 starters on defense

[ASFN Admin]

So long as you're not counting quarterback the Atlanta Falcons are absolutely loaded offensively going into the 2026 NFL season. CBS Sports is running through a list of ranking the top 10 players at each position, where the Falcons landed four starters on offense.

Defensively it's a different story, though - even though they have several compelling candidates only one made the cut on this side of the ball. Veteran safety Jessie Bates III was ranked the eighth-best safety in the league.

"Bates has picked off at least three passes in seven of his eight NFL seasons and is regarded as one of the brightest players in the NFL, regardless of position. Safeties No. 3 through No. 8 were separated by just 15 points, showing the logjam of top players at the position behind Hamilton and James."

You can certainly make a case that Bates belongs higher in these rankings. He's certainly been playing the position at a high level for longer than Xavier McKinney, Brian Branch and Antoine Winfield Jr., each of whom were ranked ahead of him.

If we put Bates before those three he would come in fifth on this list, which is probably where he belongs.

Atlanta's second-year stud Xavier Watts also got some love in the rankings, receiving several votes, including one that would have put him at No. 8. No other Falcons players earned an honorable mention on defense.

Looking ahead, edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce should have a case in the coming years to make the top 10 at their position - but they'll have to prove it more than just one year.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons have just one of NFL's top-10 starters on defense

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