By Noah Lourie (@noah_lourie)

Before getting started, just remember, this list is based on my opinions. I used a lot of research on stats, rankings, and accomplishments, but in the end, I ranked them based on my personal opinions.

Just Missed the cut:

Julio Teheran

Vic Beasley

Desmond Trufant

10. Deion Jones

There were a lot of ways I could have gone with the number 10 spot. However, it only seemed right to go with the Falcons linebacker who has quickly won over Atlanta fans in his first two NFL seasons. In his rookie season, Deion Jones led the team in combined tackles (108), interceptions (3), and pick-6’s (2). He was one of five rookies who were starting on defense in the Super Bowl, making up the youngest defense to ever make it there. There was no sophomore slump for Jones as he once again led the team in combined tackles (138) and interceptions (3). He was also invited to his first Pro-Bowl along with fellow second-year teammate Keanu Neal. Deion Jones has been an absolute nightmare for the Saints. In his rookie year, he turned a tipped pass from Drew Brees into a 90-yard pick-6. Then this season, in a critical game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Jones made a career-defining play to close the game.

If it weren’t for this play, the Falcons most likely wouldn’t have made the playoffs. Jones has a habit of making critical plays for this young Falcons defense and he’s Jones is already one of the league’s elite linebackers after just two seasons. I don’t want to overhype the young defender, but he looks like a special player who has the potential to be one of the greats in Falcon and maybe even NFL history.

9. Josef Martinez

Josef Martinez had an incredible season for Atlanta United. In just 20 games played, Martinez poured in 19 goals, 4th in the MLS. Keep in mind, Martinez missed two whole months of the season, yet finished just four goals behind the league leader. Just like Freddie Freeman, Martinez could have, and probably would have, been the MVP if he had stayed healthy. If he hadn’t have missed those 14 games that he did, Martinez could have very likely scored 30+ goals, which would have been an MLS record. Even with two months absent from play, Martinez’s great season lands him at #9 on this list. He was a goal-scoring machine, simple as that. When United needed a goal, or two, or three, he was there.

Martinez was just a magnet for the ball; when he was in the box, it seemed like a teammate always found him, and he almost always turned that chance into a goal.

8. Devonta Freeman

Two-time pro-bowler Devonta Freeman has already proven himself to be a top 10 running back in the NFL in his short career. Drafted in the 4th round in 2014, Freeman was a solid rookie, but he mostly played a backup role for Stephen Jackson. Then when it looked like he was going to be the starter, the Falcons drafted Tevin Coleman and gave him the starting job before the 2015 season. However, Coleman was quickly injured and within weeks Freeman was the hottest running back in the NFL. He led the league with 11 rushing TD’s, was 7th in rushing yards 3rd in receiving yards for running backs. He didn’t disappoint in 2016 either, racking up 1000 yards once again and being selected for his second consecutive pro-bowl. Freeman does it all; he’s a good blocker (except for on third and one in the super bowl), he’s tough to bring down, he’s one of the shiftiest backs in the league, and he’s a very dangerous pass catcher. Just watch this highlight against Seattle in the 2016/17 playoffs.

After catching the pass and getting away from his initial defender, Freeman just embarrassed the safely with a nasty cut.

7. Dennis Schroder

Schroder is in his fifth season in the NBA and has greatly improved his stats in every single one. Since Jeff Teague was traded in the Summer of 2016, Dennis Schroder has been the starting point guard for the Hawks. Schroder is the most divisive player on this list, you either love him or hate him. Those that don’t like him say he is too cocky, he is not a good enough shooter, he’s too small, or they just don’t like that blonde patch in his hair. I for one love him; he’s extremely fast, he has a great touch around the basket, he can shoot pretty well, and he plays with a passion that you don’t always see. Schroder can blow by anyone that’s guarding him seemingly whenever he wants to. Just take a look at this highlight.

Before Elfrid Payton has a chance to react, he’s eating Schroder’s dust as Dennis flies towards the rim and throws down a rare dunk over Serge Ibaka.

Schroder has consistently improved in every important stat each season. In his fifth season, second as the starting point guard, Schroder has eclipsed 20 points per game for the first time in his career. Despite taking more shots and playing more minutes, his field goal percentage continues to increase every season. As the Hawks get their rebuild underway, the debate over whether Schroder is the future of this franchise continues. At just 24 years old, Schroder could be at the peak of his career right as the Hawks become competitive again. If he is already scoring 20 points per game at this stage of his career, the sky is the limit for Dennis Schroder.

6. Ender Inciarte

Much like Miguel Almiron, Inciarte brings an energy and passion to his team that almost matches his skill. After just two years with the Braves, Inciarte is already a fan favorite in Atlanta and the sole all-star for the Braves in the 2017 season. He has also won the gold glove award for his glovework in centerfield in both seasons he’s been on the Braves. Maybe his best play as a Brave came late in the 2016 season in a game against the Mets. A night before, Yoenis Cespedes had hit a walk-off for the Mets, and once again he had a chance to be the hero. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth Cespedes hit a bomb out to center field and it looked like he just won the game for the Mets. I’ll let the highlight show you what happened next.

Inciarte raced back to the wall and snagged the would-be walk-off home run. 2016 was a rough year for the Braves, but there was a very noticeable change in the energy of the team after this catch.

The Braves ended that season extremely well with one of the best records in baseball in the last month, and a lot of it started with this catch. Inciarte batted a career-high .304 in 2017, good for 12th in the NL. Inciarte is just a lot of fun to watch, both at the plate and in the field. In a sport that’s viewership is decreasing due to it being too boring, Inciarte is the type of player that baseball need. He’s 27 years old, which means he’s still getting better, and he will have to be a key piece of a Braves championship run in the next decade.

5. Nick Chubb

I guess he’s really an Athens athlete, but Chubb had to be included on this list. Nick Chubb is second in Georgia history in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Chubb somehow managed to make Bulldog fans forget about Todd Gurley, and he’s without a doubt one of the best running backs in Georgia history. In Chubb’s senior year he helped lead the Dogs to an SEC championship and an appearance in the National Championship game. Most running backs in his situation would have left after their junior year for the NFL, not wanting to risk injury or a drop in draft stock, but not Chubb. He saw the greatness that the Bulldogs could achieve so he stayed for his senior year and was just one play away from leading the Dogs to the top of the college football world.

His vision and breakaway speed are both on full display in this highlight.

4. Miguel Almiron

Atlanta United has played just one season but has already electrified the city, the country, and the entire soccer world. The youthful exciting style that United plays with turned them into a fan favorite very quickly. This high paced attack is led by 23-year-old star Miguel Almiron. Almiron is an absolute joy to watch, you can just tell how much he loves the game of soccer every time he steps out onto the pitch. Even on TV, his smile is contagious, his energy transmits to every player on the field and every fan in the stands. That is all great, but his skills are what got him the #5 spot on this list. The MLS is infamous for its slow, low-quality play, with the best players often just washed up 35-year-olds that can’t cut it in the more competitive European leagues. Miguel Almiron is a breath of fresh air for American soccer fans. This highlight showcases his great shot power.

It was one of three goals in this hat-trick performance against the Houston Dynamo. It’s going to be tough to keep him from going to a major European Club, so Atlanta fan should appreciate everything he does before he leaves.

3. Freddie Freeman

I still believe that if Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Loup hadn’t hit Freeman with a pitch (on my freaking birthday) and cost him to miss 10 weeks with a fractured left wrist, the Braves first baseman would have won NL MVP. Freeman started the 2017 season on an absolute tear, the likes of which I had never seen. Before getting injured, Freddie Freeman had a .341 batting average and led the major leagues with 14 home runs. Freeman’s swing is quick, smooth, and extremely powerful. Here he is crushing a home run against the very team that cost him the MVP.

Freeman is also a great fielder. At first base he makes doing a full split seem routine, and in his time in the hot corner, he snagged screaming line drives like a seasoned 3rd baseman.

Freeman doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves; he’s been to just two all-star games. If the young Braves can get to the playoffs then it shouldn’t be long before Freeman is being talked about as a legitimate candidate for MVP. Best of all, Freeman is only 28 years old and still getting better. In the baseball world, at 28 years old Freeman could just be entering his prime and could be a really good player for another decade.

2. Matt Ryan

I really wanted to give Matt Ryan the #1 spot. The reigning MVP, quarterback of the 7th best offense of all time, and four-time pro-bowler is the face of Atlanta sports and the Falcon’s franchise quarterback for a decade. He recently became the fastest QB to reach 40,000 yards, doing so in just 151 games. Ryan also just ended his 64 game streak of at least 200 passing yards, the longest such streak in NFL history. There is a slew of other stats that showcase Matt Ryan’s talent but to list all of those would take an entirely different article. Ryan’s resume stands far above anyone else’s on this list. He doesn’t have the strongest arm and he isn’t a great runner, but don’t make the mistake of saying he’s not elite. Throws like this one against the Packers could only be made by a handful of quarterbacks. Taylor Gabriel never has to break stride or reach for this touchdown catch. Matt Ryan drops the ball masterfully into Gabriel’s chest in the end zone all the way from his own 45-yard line.

It’s a seamlessly perfect play; there’s no wasted motion as Ryan makes possibly the best pass of his career. Ryan is also a fantastic leader, the type of quarterback that teammates want to follow and love to play for. He is as competitive and fiery as anyone else in the NFL, always doing whatever it takes to win.

Before the 2016 season Falcons fans were calling for Ryan’s head, some even going as far as to say that backup Matt Schaub should take his place as the starter. Ryan responded with an MVP season, but that still didn’t quiet the critics. The debate over whether he is an “elite” quarterback is still raging on, however, I can go ahead and settle that right now. Matt Ryan is elite. Case closed. Few quarterbacks have ever done what he has, and it’s flat-out offensive to suggest that he isn’t on the same level right now as the best of the best. The only reason he isn’t on top of this list is that he happens to be teammates with a certain receiver that is more cyborg than NFL player.

1. Julio Jones

Not only is Quintorris Lopez “Julio” Jones the best athlete in Atlanta, he’s one of the best in the world. Jones is an absolute freak, in the most complimentary way possible. He is three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than the average receiver, yet his 40-yard dash time is 0.16 seconds faster than average; a huge difference when comparing 40-yard dash times. He’s as tall as Alshon Jeffery, A.J. Green, and Jordy Nelson, but as fast or faster than Antonio Brown and Sammy Watkins. There is simply no one else like him in the NFL. His insane athleticism was on full display when he made one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl History. Credit must be given to Matt Ryan for somehow getting it over the defender, but the play wouldn’t have been possible without Julio. After jumping and snagging the ball with his fingertips as it flew away from him, he had the wherewithal to get both feet down before falling out of bounds. Through all of that, Jones never let the ball move in his hands.

It’s easy to see his greatness when watching him, but it becomes even more apparent on paper. He has the most yard per game in NFL history (96.1 ypg) and he’s the only player ever with more than one game of over 250 receiving yards; he has three. That includes his incredible 300 yard game against the Panthers in 2016, one of just six 300 yard games in NFL history. Julio is clearly the best athlete to represent Atlanta right now, and no doubt one of the best ever too.

Who was snubbed, too high, too low, or just right? Comment what you think

Featured image: ESPN.com