2001 Atlanta Falcons season
The 2001 [NFL season|2001] Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise’s 36th season in the National Football League. The Falcons obtained the first pick overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. With the pick, the Falcons drafted Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick.
This was Jamal Anderson’s final season as he re-aggravated his surgically repaired knee in Week 3, and this time, it ended his career. The Falcons improved on their 9–23 record from the previous two seasons but still failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive campaign after a 6–4 start.
This was the final season under the Falcons' founding ownership, the Rankin M. Smith Sr. family, as the franchise was sold to The Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank in March 2002.
It was also the first season since 1986 [Atlanta Falcons season|1986] that Jessie Tuggle was not on the roster, as he announced his retirement on August 28, 2001.
Offseason
Vick was selected in the 2001 NFL draft as the first overall pick and first African American quarterback taking number 1 in the NFL Draft. The San Diego Chargers had the number one selection spot in the draft that year but traded the rights to the first overall choice to the Atlanta Falcons a day before the draft, for which they received the Falcons’ first round pick and third round pick in 2001, a second round pick in 2002 and WR/KR Tim Dwight. With the Chargers’ downgraded spot, they selected Texas Christian University running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who went on to become league MVP in 2006. Although Vick has never become league MVP, he finished second in voting in 2004. In this way, Tomlinson and Vick are linked as having been “traded” for each other, although the transaction was actually the result of traded draft picks and contract negotiations.| Additions | Subtractions |
| RB Travis Jervey | K Morten Andersen |
| RB Rodney Thomas | P Dan Stryzinski |
| S Chris Hudson | LB Jessie Tuggle |
| CB Darrien Gordon | WR Tim Dwight |
| CB Terry Cousin |
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
| Matt Allen | Punter | Troy State |
| Corey Brown | Wide Receiver | Tulsa |
| Jay Feely | Kicker | Michigan |
| Dave Kadela | Offensive tackle | Virginia Tech |