The 2017 Benchmark Just Got Broken
Most fans still think the 2017 defense was the absolute peak of Atlanta football. They remember Keanu Neal and Brian Poole holding the line. They recall a group that pushed the team to the Super Bowl. But a fresh look at the roster shows a hard truth. The current group of defensive backs is already better than that 2017 squad. According to The Falcoholic, this unit features Pro Bowl talent and young ballhawks capable of exceeding the formidable 2017 group. That is a bold claim for a team that often struggles. Yet the numbers and the names back it up completely.
Building a well-rounded secondary without any weak spots is one of the hardest tasks in the NFL. It takes sharp drafting and smart signings to get it right. You need depth that can step in when the starters get hurt. The 2017 group had that depth, but this year’s team has something more. They have a mix of star power and youth that creates a new level of play. The gap between the two eras isn’t small. It’s wide enough to change how we see the defense.
Watts Is The Hidden Key
Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell are the obvious stars. Everyone knows Terrell is one of the league’s better corners. He played strong press coverage and stayed composed against big receivers. In the latter half of last year, Bates performed as the top safety. His high football intelligence and tremendous instincts generate big plays. But the real surprise is Xavier Watts. A genuine difference-maker, the 2025 third-round pick has now emerged. His playmaking ability and reliable open-field tackling set him apart. His overall command on the field recalled a four-year player reaching his prime. That is not normal for a rookie in the third round.
Opponents can tear a unit apart with just one bad player. A liability like Jeff Okudah or Richie Grant can cause the whole group to fail. The Falcons don’t have that problem right now. They have no glaring concerns in the back end. The 2017 team had great depth, but this team has better talent at the top. Watts closes on the ball with the right angles. He doesn’t make the mistakes that rookies usually make. This is the piece that turns a good defense into a great one.
A New Standard For Atlanta
The defense finished tied for sixth in interceptions in 2025. That stat proves the group is already doing the work. Bates and Terrell provide a strong infrastructure with their consistency and leadership, and they are the foundation that allows the younger players to thrive. The team prepares for the season with increased anticipation for a defense that can stop anyone.
Fans have suffered through bad defenses for years. They remember the days when one mistake cost the game. Those days are gone. The Falcons have all the pieces to be a special unit. They have the stars, the depth, and the young talent to make it happen. This isn’t a hope. It’s a fact based on the players in the locker room. The 2017 team was good, but this one is built to be elite.
