Surprise defender is Falcons' highest-graded player in 2024 NFL season
The Atlanta Falcons have two Pro Bowl safeties in their defensive backfield but neither Jessie Bates III nor Justin Simmons hold the team's highest Pro Football Focus grade entering Week 3. That honor belongs to Falcons safety Richie Grant, who leads the team with a PFF grade of 84.8 through the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season.
While Grant's role has drastically decreased, he has played well in limited snaps this year. In Week 2, Grant broke up a pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the red zone. The fourth-year safety appears to be making the most of his limited chances while contributing on special teams.
Grant has started 32 games over the last two seasons but lost his job when the team signed Simmons in free agency. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he intends to find ways to get Bates, Simmons and Grant on the field, per team reporter Terrin Waack.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said the secondary will find a way to play safeties Jessie Bates III, Justin Simmons and Richie Grant, just like the defense is looking to work with all three inside linebackers: "Those are great problems to have as a coach."
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) August 19, 2024
"Those are great problems to have as a coach," said Morris of having three capable safeties on the roster. Grant's coverage ability isn't on the level of Simmons or Bates, but perhaps stepping back will benefit the former second-round pick.
Running back Bijan Robinson is the team's top-rated offensive player. Check out Pro Football Focus' 10 highest-graded Falcons players entering Week 3 (NOTE: Nate Landman is not included due to being on IR).
S Richie Grant: 84.8
RB Bijan Robinson: 83.5
C Drew Dalman: 78.6
CB Mike Hughes: 74.1
RT Kaleb McGary: 69.6
WR Ray-Ray McCloud: 67.6
WR Drake London: 67.4
S Jessie Bates: 66.8
OLB Arnold Ebiketie: 65.7
RB Tyler Allgeier: 65.2
The Falcons will need all three of their safeties to play well if they're going to find a way to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. The Chiefs are 3-point favorites, but Atlanta is coming off its most exciting victory in years.
Sunday night's game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET inside a roofless Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Surprise defender is Falcons' highest-graded player in 2024 NFL season
