The Atlanta Falcons have begun contract talks with linebacker Deion Jones, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.

Jones is entering the final year of his deal in 2019 and is scheduled to make just over $1 million. McClure adds that the Falcons would rather lock Jones up now before his price increases.

The 24-year-old played in just six games this past season due to a broken foot, but when he was on the field, he was sensational, registering 53 tackles, a sack, two interceptions, a forced fumble, six passes defended, and a defensive touchdown.

Jones, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was originally selected by Atlanta in the second round (52nd pick overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He was immediately named a starting linebacker for the Falcons during his rookie campaign and finished with 106 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble, 11 passes defended, and a pair of defensive touchdowns.

Then, the following year, Jones racked up 138 tackles, a sack, three picks, and 10 passes defended en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

The Falcons are coming off of a season in which they won just seven games and did not look all that competitive at any one point of the year. It marked their first losing campaign since 2014, when they went 6-10.

Prior to 2018, Atlanta had made back-to-back playoff appearances, most notably during the 2016-17 campaign when the Falcons made it all the way to the Super Bowl before blowing a 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots, resulting in a devastating loss.

Atlanta then won 10 games and lost in the Divisional Round of the playoffs in 2017-18.