One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

Atlanta Falcons: Deion Sanders, Cornerback/Returner

This season, the Atlanta Falcons need some help in several areas. They need help on defense which could lead to them bringing back someone such as linebacker Jessie Tuggle. On offense, they could use someone such as Mike Kenn who was an incredibly underrated tackle for much of his career. Or, they could use a better running game which would not only help take some of the pressure off of Matt Ryan and the passing game that just lost Julio Jones, but it would also help the defense by allowing them to keep the ball in their hands and milk the clock.

For that reason, it would be tempting to choose Gerald Riggs as the legendary player to bring back to the Dirty Birds. He did, after all, run for 4,532 yards from 1984 through 1986 which was downright insane. As much as he would help the team, the needs on defense are simply too great and that means we pick arguably the best defensive player the Falcons have ever had — Deion Sanders.

Amply nicknamed Prime Time, Sanders was just electric for Atlanta. A two-sport star who was also playing for the Atlanta Braves while with the Falcons, Sanders had 24 interceptions in five seasons with Atlanta, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Football Team, and Baltimore Ravens but was at his best while with Atlanta, S.F., and Dallas.

In addition to his ability as a corner, Deion was stellar in the return game. He had six career punt return touchdowns and three more as a kickoff returner. But if that wasn’t enough reason to bring him back, he could also help on offense. Sanders spent time at wide receiver and had 60 receptions for 784 yards and three more touchdowns. Had he dedicated himself to that side of the line of scrimmage, he could have been successful as well but his nose for the ball on defense made him too valuable for that.