The Associated Press has announced the annual NFL All-Pro teams, and Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III and right guard Chris Lindstrom logged second-team honors.
Bates finished No. 3 in voting among safeties while Lindstrom was No. 2 among right guards. The duo also earned Atlanta's lone two Pro Bowl nods this season.
Both players narrowly missed first-team - Bates lost out to Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens and Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin edged Lindstrom.
Bates received 107 votes, 29 of which were first-team votes, while Winfield recorded 109 votes, 30 being first-team. Hamilton had a more comfortable margin, logging 119 votes overall and 37 first team. He was named first-team All-Pro by the NFLPA on Wednesday.
Lindstrom, similarly, was awarded 78 votes, with 21 being first team ... but Martin received 80 and 23, respectively, en route to winning top honors.
It's the second time for each player earning second-team All-Pro honors. Bates received recognition in 2020 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, while Lindstrom made his debut on the list last season.
The Falcons made substantial investments in Bates and Lindstrom this spring, making Bates the fourth highest-paid safety in the NFL with a four-year, $64.5 million contract while giving Lindstrom a five-year, $105 million extension.
Both players delivered, and their success merely reflects the value they brought to the Falcons' locker room this season.
Bates was Atlanta's leading tackler with 132 total and made six of the team's eight interceptions. He also had three forced fumbles, a trio of tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 11 passes defended.
Lindstrom earned an 87.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing only three sacks, two quarterback hits and 15 total pressures in 16 games.
The only other Falcon to receive votes was Bradley Pinion, who slotted in at No. 5 amongst punters, earning six votes, two of which were first team.
Atlanta finished the year at 7-10 and fired head coach Arthur Smith following a 48-17 road loss to the New Orleans Saints in the season finale.
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