Fox Sports Names Two Falcons to 2020s Future Half-Decade Team

Two Atlanta Falcons players, running back Bijan Robinson and right guard Chris Lindstrom, were selected by Fox News NFL Reporter Ben Arthur for his 2020s Future Half-Decade team (projected 2025-29).

Robinson earned the nod over Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs. Arthur cited Robinson's impressive 2024 season: 1,866 total yards (1,456 rushing, 410 receiving) and 15 total touchdowns, ranking him fourth in scrimmage yards and tied for third in touchdowns, leading to his first Pro Bowl selection. Arthur argued Robinson is likely to receive a heavier workload than Gibbs in the coming years due to Atlanta's unproven quarterback situation (Michael Penix Jr.) and less high-end talent at wide receiver, coupled with the fact Robinson doesn't share carries with a Pro Bowl-caliber running back like Gibbs does. The report noted that while Arthur expects Robinson to get more usage, the talent level of the top wide receiver duos for both Atlanta (Drake London, Darnell Mooney) and Detroit (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams) was comparable, with both duos featuring two top-25 receivers in yards; specifically, Mooney and London were the only duo where both receivers were top 25 in yards and each had 60+ catches.

Arthur also selected guard Chris Lindstrom, highlighting his status as PFF's top-ranked guard for each of the last three seasons. Lindstrom's 2024 performance was exceptional, allowing just one sack and eight quarterback hits over nearly 1,100 snaps. Arthur pointed out Lindstrom had the NFL's best run-blocking grade among qualified guards in both 2022 and 2023 according to PFF, and has been a top-five run-blocking guard every season since 2021. Over the last two seasons combined, he has surrendered only four total sacks, a feat noted as particularly impressive given the pocket mobility issues of Atlanta's quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke during that period. Lindstrom was also recently ranked as ESPN's No. 7 interior lineman for next season.