Matt Ryan
- Atlanta Falcons (2008-present)
Since taking Matt Ryan with their No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons have lived and died with him under center. In fact, it did not take Ryan too long to get used to the NFL game, as he was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after an impressive first season.
The following year, in only his second season in the pros, Ryan was named the captain of the Falcons. He has done a nice job leading this franchise ever since. He led the Falcons to the playoffs in year one as a rookie. Over the course of the last 11 seasons, he has racked up 102 wins as the team’s starter.
Ryan’s best season came back in 2016, where he took home the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, but ended the year on the lowest of notes. Leading the New England Patriots 28-3 in the second half of the Super Bowl, Ryan and his Falcons ended up losing in overtime, in the most heartbreaking loss in the history of the big game.
Still, this is a guy who has been a leader for this franchise and has them in position to be a playoff contender ever single year. Sure, he has some incredible weapons at his disposal, but he is a four-time Pro Bowler, has numerous Falcons records and will pass 300 touchdown passes early in the 2019 campaign.