Falcons linebacker Deion Jones finished strong in 2019 after the team struggled defensively during a 1-7 start to the season. His pick-six in overtime capped off a Week 17 victory over the Buccaneers, Atlanta’s sixth win over the final eight games.
Jones has the ideal skill-set for a modern NFL middle linebacker, and is one of the league’s best in pass coverage. In less than four seasons of game action, he has nine career interceptions, with 32 passes defended.
Pro Football Focus shared its top-rated linebackers since the start of the 2017 season on Twitter and Jones made the cut. He was ranked as PFF’s No. 4 linebacker over that span, with a grade of 88.3:
Highest 3-year PFF grades at LB 2017-2019
1. Bobby Wagner – 92.2
1. Luke Kuechly – 92.2
3. Lavonte David – 91.0
4. Deion Jones – 88.3 pic.twitter.com/io5LXLrHMk— PFF (@PFF) May 10, 2020
The other linebackers rounding out PFF’s top four include Lavonte David (91), Luke Kuechly (92.2), and Bobby Wagner (92.2). Last season, Jones recorded 110 tackles (68 solo), one interception and five passes defended.
At just 25 years old, having just signed a four-year, $57 million extension in 2019, Jones is clearly a part of Atlanta’s long-term plans.
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