Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins ​​Ranked Ahead of Jets’ Aaron Rodgers in NFL Top 100

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​and right guard Chris Lindstrom are the first and fourth highest-paid players on the Atlanta Falcons, respectively, but they’ve proven they’re worth their price tag.

Every summer, the NFL surveys players from across the league to compile a list of the top 100 players. On Monday night, the league released the players ranked 81st through 100th, and both Cousins ​​and Lindstrom were on it.

Cousins ​​ranks 81st, while Lindstrom ranks 88th. It’s worth noting that Cousins ​​fell from 42nd on last season’s list, while Lindstrom only fell one spot from 87th.

“In a year where seven starting quarterbacks suffered season-ending injuries, Cousins ​​played eight games before suffering a torn Achilles tendon,” Krissy Hetherington wrote on NFL.com. “The veteran QB finished his final season in Minnesota with 18 touchdowns, 2,331 passing yards and five interceptions before signing a massive four-year deal with the Falcons as a free agent this offseason. With a new head coach and offensive coordinator behind him (and a rookie QB waiting in the wings), all eyes will be on Cousins ​​this year.”

The Falcons will likely have at least one other honoree in safety Jessie Bates III, who earned second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nomination in 2023, his first year in Atlanta.

Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons this spring, was the highest-ranked of three quarterbacks included on Monday night’s list. Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets (No. 92) and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 94) also made the list.

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Cousins, 35, started eight games for the Minnesota Vikings last season before tearing his Achilles tendon. He has completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, putting him on pace for a career season.

While he’s still completing his rehab, Cousins ​​hasn’t been limited during OTAs or minicamp and should be close to full strength when the Falcons arrive for training camp on Wednesday.

Lindstrom, meanwhile, provided an instant return on Atlanta’s five-year, $102.5 million investment last spring.

As a starter in all 16 games, Lindstrom earned second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the second consecutive season.

Lindstrom, 27, was Pro Football Focus’ top-rated leader in 2023, with grades of 87.5 as a run blocker and 78.6 as a pass blocker. He allowed just three sacks, two hits on the quarterback and 15 total pressures.

The reveal of the NFL’s top 100 players continues Tuesday, with spots 71 through 80 filled. The names will be revealed at 12:00 p.m. ET each day on NFL+.