Ranking potential first-time pro bowlers for the Atlanta Falcons

It’s often said that the NFL Pro Bowl is just a popularity contest, but with that being said, it is still cool to see Atlanta Falcons players make it. It means they are actually getting media and fan attention.

Last year, the Falcons had two Pro Bowlers – Younghoe Koo and Grady Jarrett.

It was Grady’s second of his career and Koo’s first.

Currently, the Falcons have a total of six players who have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl – Cordarrelle Patterson, Matt Ryan, Deion Jones, Grady Jarrett, Jake Matthews, and Younghoe Koo.

Who might be the next player or players to join that list?

Ranking the Atlanta Falcons top-ten potential first-time Pro Bowlers

10) Matt Hennessy – C

What does the Atlanta Falcon’s projected starting center have in his favor in relation to making a Pro Bowl? The fact that he takes the torch from one of the greatest ever, Alex Mack.

This may not seem like a big deal, but when fans are voting they might be persuaded by being used to seeing a Falcons center in the Pro Bowl.

Not to mention, that Matt Hennessy certainly has the talent.

This could seriously be a breakout season for Matt going into his second year. Arthur Smith will put him in a perfect position to succeed.

9) Dante Fowler Jr. – OLB

It would be easy to think that the Falcon’s top outside pass rusher has already made the Pro Bowl, but that is not the case.

If this ends up being a big season for last year’s disappointment, it will be to Dean Pees’s credit.

Dan Quinn was certainly not able to get the best out of Fowler, and Fowler was not exactly great at any point during the year, but he has a track record and the talent to see how he could end up having a big year.

8) Marlon Davidson – DT

If Marlon Davidson continues to play how he did in the preseason for the Atlanta Falcons, this could seriously be a possibility.

Davidson has seemingly turned a corner, after a rather disappointing rookie year, and he has the versatility to be put in an optimal situation every snap.

We can only hope that we get production out of Fowler and Davidson because in the event the Falcons do not, it could be a long year for the defense as a whole.

7) Keith Smith – FB

This one may be shocking to fans but the Atlanta Falcons have one of the best fullbacks in the NFL on their roster.

Last season, Pro Football Focus graded him as the best fullback in the entire NFL. While there were only 12 graded fullbacks in the NFL, this is still impressive.

Not to mention his value on special teams. He is one of the players on the Falcons special teams unit that has consistently made tackles, and seemingly every time he is one of the few guys who are around the return man on every return.

While fullback is not one of the most glamorous positions, but Keith Smith is a reliable one and the Falcons should be happy to have him.

6) Avery Williams – Returner/Special Teamer

This one may be shocking, as Williams is not someone you would expect to see make the Pro Bowl for the Atlanta Falcons, however, it could happen.

Watching Williams during the preseason was so much fun. He made the most out of every return he had. He broke tackles, he evaded defenders, and he ran past defenders. There is so much to be excited about when looking at the Falcons late-round draft pick from this past draft.

He was a special teams standout for the Boise State Broncos during his time in college and he may just be on the same trajectory in his NFL career.