Ranking the Atlanta Falcons: Best Players, Seasons, and Moments in Franchise History
For Atlanta football fans, debating who belongs on an Atlanta Falcons ranker list is almost a sport of its own. Whether you live in the city, are visiting for a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or just want to better understand the team’s history, it helps to know how the Falcons’ greatest players, coaches, and seasons stack up.
This guide breaks down the Falcons from multiple angles, focused on what matters most to fans in Atlanta, Georgia today.
How to “Rank” the Atlanta Falcons: What Really Matters
When Atlanta fans talk about ranking anything related to the Falcons, they’re usually comparing:
- All-time greatest Falcons players
- Best Falcons seasons
- Most beloved fan favorites
- Top moments and games
- Coaches and front office impact
Most local conversations weigh:
- On-field production (stats, consistency)
- Impact on big games (playoffs, Super Bowl runs)
- Longevity in Atlanta
- Connection with the city and fan base
The lists below use those same common-sense criteria that fans around Atlanta talk about at sports bars, tailgates, and watch parties.
All-Time Atlanta Falcons Player Ranker
This is a balanced ranking of players who had their prime years in Atlanta and made a lasting mark on the franchise.
Top 10 Atlanta Falcons of All Time (Franchise Impact)
| Rank | Player | Position | Era with Falcons | Why Atlanta Fans Rate Them So Highly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Ryan | QB | 2008–2021 | Franchise passing leader, MVP, led team to Super Bowl LI |
| 2 | Julio Jones | WR | 2011–2020 | One of the NFL’s most dominant WRs, face of the offense |
| 3 | Deion Sanders | CB/Returner | 1989–1993 | Electric playmaker, helped put Atlanta on national radar |
| 4 | Jessie Tuggle | LB | 1987–2000 | Local legend, tackling machine, symbol of toughness |
| 5 | Roddy White | WR | 2005–2015 | Reliable, productive, key bridge between eras |
| 6 | Michael Vick | QB | 2001–2006 | Transformational dual-threat QB, massive cultural impact |
| 7 | Tommy Nobis | LB | 1966–1976 | First-ever Falcon, cornerstone of early franchise |
| 8 | William Andrews | RB | 1979–1986 | Elite all-purpose back before injuries |
| 9 | Gerald Riggs | RB | 1982–1988 | Powerful runner, multiple 1,000-yard seasons |
| 10 | Warrick Dunn | RB | 2002–2007 | Productive leader on and off the field in Atlanta |
You’ll hear plenty of debate in Atlanta sports shops and barbershops about the exact order, but these names come up again and again.
Fan Favorites: Atlanta Falcons Players Fans Still Talk About
Beyond pure stats, Atlanta’s football culture is built around personality, style, and connection with the city.
Players with a Special Place in Atlanta Fans’ Hearts
- Michael Vick – Even with a complicated legacy, many long-time fans remember the excitement he brought to the Georgia Dome.
- Julio Jones – His toughness and highlight catches are still part of everyday Falcons conversations.
- Matt Ryan – “Matty Ice” is appreciated for stability, leadership, and giving Atlanta its best sustained run of success.
- Jessie Tuggle – Known as “The Hammer,” and especially loved among long-time Atlanta residents.
- Roddy White – Seen as a loyal Falcon and emotional leader.
- Tony Gonzalez – Though he spent much of his career elsewhere, his years in Atlanta are remembered as a key part of the Ryan era.
- Grady Jarrett – A modern anchor on defense and a local Georgia native, often cited when fans discuss homegrown talent.
If you’re new to Atlanta and want to sound informed around Falcons fans, knowing these names—and why they matter—goes a long way.
Ranking the Best Atlanta Falcons Seasons
When people in Atlanta talk about “the best Falcons teams ever,” they usually focus on playoff runs and how deep the team went into January (and February).
Top Falcons Seasons Atlanta Fans Often Rank the Highest
1. 2016 Season (Super Bowl LI Run)
- Record: 11–5
- Head Coach: Dan Quinn
- MVP: Matt Ryan
- Why it ranks so high:
- One of the most explosive offenses in league history.
- Dominant regular season and strong playoff run.
- Led to the franchise’s second Super Bowl appearance.
- The ending is painful for Atlanta, but the season itself is still widely viewed as the peak of Falcons football.
2. 1998 Season (Dirty Bird Era, Super Bowl XXXIII)
- Record: 14–2
- Head Coach: Dan Reeves
- Stars: Jamal Anderson, Chris Chandler, Jessie Tuggle
- Why Atlanta still loves this team:
- The “Dirty Bird” celebration became part of the city’s identity.
- Reached the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
- This era is remembered as a point when Atlanta football really stepped into the national spotlight.
3. Early Matt Ryan Era (2008–2012)
- Regular playoff appearances
- Establishment of a consistent, competitive team after years of ups and downs.
- Helped stabilize the franchise and re-energize fans, especially in the years following heavy turnover.
4. 1977 “Grits Blitz” Defense
- Known for an aggressive, suffocating defense.
- Even people who didn’t grow up in that era hear about “Grits Blitz” from older Atlanta fans and local sports media.
Ranking the Most Memorable Falcons Moments in Atlanta
If you’re putting together your own Atlanta Falcons ranker of unforgettable moments, these almost always make the list:
Top On-Field Moments Fans Still Mention
The NFC Championship win in January 2017
- Final game at the Georgia Dome.
- Dominant victory that punched the ticket to Super Bowl LI.
- Many Atlanta locals still rank this as their favorite Falcons game atmosphere ever.
1998 NFC Championship vs. Minnesota
- Overtime win in a hostile environment.
- Cemented the Falcons’ first Super Bowl appearance.
- A defining moment for long-time fans.
Michael Vick’s prime performances
- Several games at the Georgia Dome where he broke long runs or made impossible escapes.
- These performances helped turn Falcons games into a citywide event.
Julio Jones’ standout games
- Multiple 200+ yard receiving games that get replayed and re-argued in Atlanta debates.
Ranking Falcons Legends by Position
When fans in Atlanta rank their “best ever Falcons” by position, certain names lead the conversations.
Quarterbacks
- Matt Ryan – Clear No. 1 for long-term production and leadership.
- Michael Vick – Most electric, with unique cultural impact.
- Steve Bartkowski – Key figure in earlier franchise history.
Wide Receivers
- Julio Jones – Often ranked among league-wide greats, not just Falcons greats.
- Roddy White
- Andre Rison – Known for his playmaking in the early 1990s.
Running Backs
- William Andrews
- Gerald Riggs
- Jamal Anderson – Icon of the “Dirty Bird” era.
- Warrick Dunn – Versatile and respected both on and off the field.
Linebackers
- Jessie Tuggle
- Tommy Nobis
- Keith Brooking – Another name frequently mentioned by Atlanta fans.
If you’re visiting Atlanta and browsing Falcons merchandise shops or local sports bars, you’ll see many of these names on jerseys, murals, and photos.
Where Falcons Culture Lives in Atlanta
Understanding any Atlanta Falcons ranker is easier when you know where team culture is felt most around the city.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- The home of the Falcons and the centerpiece of the modern fan experience.
- Game days often feel like a major downtown event, with activity spilling into nearby areas like the Home Depot Backyard and around Centennial Olympic Park.
Team Headquarters & Training Camp
- The Falcons’ headquarters and regular training site are located in Flowery Branch, Georgia (north of Atlanta), which matters for fans who like to follow training camp or attend open practice sessions when available.
Local Fan Hubs
Across Atlanta, debates about who should top any Falcons ranking list happen in:
- Sports bars in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and the Battery area
- Neighborhood gatherings in areas like East Atlanta, West End, and Decatur
- Tailgates around the stadium on home game weekends
If you’re new to the city and want a feel for Falcons fan culture, watching a game in one of these areas is an easy way to hear live, unfiltered opinions.
How to Create Your Own Atlanta Falcons Ranker
If you want to build your own personal ranking as an Atlanta resident or visiting fan, try this approach:
Choose your category
- All-time players
- Best seasons
- Favorite memories
- Players by position
Decide what matters most to you
- Winning and playoff success
- Longevity as a Falcon
- Excitement and style of play
- Personal connection or nostalgia
Start with a top 5 or top 10
- List names quickly, then reorder them after thinking about impact.
Compare with local conversations
- Listen on local sports radio, talk to long-time fans, or attend a game in Atlanta to see how your rankings line up with the city’s view.
Update over time
- As new players emerge or the team makes new playoff runs, many Atlanta fans adjust their lists.
What an Atlanta Fan Should Know Right Now
If you live in Atlanta or are visiting and want a fast summary of how the franchise typically gets ranked:
- Matt Ryan and Julio Jones often sit at the top of all-time player lists.
- 1998 and 2016 are commonly ranked as the two greatest Falcons seasons.
- Michael Vick, Jessie Tuggle, and Roddy White are huge fan favorites even beyond pure stats.
- The Georgia Dome era and the current Mercedes-Benz Stadium era shape how many locals group their memories.
- Most Atlanta-based rankings blend on-field success with how deeply players and teams connected with the city.
With this context, you can follow (and join) almost any Atlanta Falcons ranker debate—whether you’re chatting in a downtown bar, tailgating outside the stadium, or just watching from home in metro Atlanta.