The Atlanta Falcons' secondary looks different this year. The hope is that this will improve the 25th-ranked pass defense in 2022. New Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielson will have his imprint on what the secondary looks like. But first, I break down what looks like a much-improved back end of the defense.
Additions: Jessie Bates, Jeff Okudah, Tre Flowers, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips, DeMarcco Hellams
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
The most significant pickup of the entire off-season for the Falcons was former Bengals safety Jessie Bates. He brings over his 14 career interceptions, including the four he had last season. That is more than any Falcons defensive back from last year. So immediately, you are adding a ball-hawk and a solid pass defender. When Bates was the nearest defender, per NFL Next Gen Stats, opponents were held to -8.7 completion percentage below expectation. When Bates can create turnovers and defend receivers, it also makes him flexible to use whether it's single high, two deep, or even press man-to-man. Nielson can use him all over the field as a chess piece.
(@AtlantaFalcons)
Then the team traded for the former number 3 overall draft pick by the Detroit Lions, Jeff Okuadah. Okuadah never reached the expectations set for him coming out of Ohio State. He dealt with injuries in his first two years. Then finally played close to an entire season last year, playing in 15 games. He set career highs in tackles and passes defended while recording his first career pick-six in 2022. The Lions still wanted to move on, and the Falcons swooped in and only gave up a 5th-round pick in return. Now Okuadah gets a fresh start in Atlanta and is looking like the likely number 2 guy besides Aj Terrell.
Falcons added Mike Hughes and Tre Flowers this offseason to add to the depth and competition of the group, Flowers a bigger corner, also played with teammate Jessie Bates last year with the Bengals. The former 5th-round pick hopes to return to how he was in Seattle, especially in 2019 when he had a career-high in interceptions with three. He is also looking to stay healthy, which has been an issue at times in his career. Hughes is expected to compete for the nickel job as he wants to build off his last year with the Lions appearing in 15 games and having a career year in tackles. His best year was with Kansas City in 2021 when he had four forced fumbles.
Then in the 4th round of this year's NFL draft, they selected Clark Phillips III out of Utah. Most consider him a steal, as he was considered a day-two pick by scouts. NFL analysis Lance Zierlein said this in his evaluation of Phillips " He’s a voracious student of the game and has developed a feel for reading the quarterback’s drops and eyes. He’s a little tight-hipped and can give away separation at the top of the route, but when he’s clued in, Phillips uses aggressive angles to search for takeaways. He’s tough, intelligent, and knows how to play. He should become a solid nickel cornerback, but his success could be tethered to matchups from week to week. " He is also in play for the nickel back spot in the secondary for the team and could be a player to watch for when training camp begins. He is looking to turn heads and adds another ball hawk to the defense, as he picked off college QBs six times in his last year at Utah.
DeMarrco Hellams was a 7th-round draft pick and, as of now, is projected to be a special teams guy. Coming from Alabama, you know he's well-coached and a smart player. He is known for his physicality and ability in man coverage; he will struggle a bit in zone coverage and has some limitations. He is someone, maybe not this year, but in coming years, if he shows growth could get more playing time as time goes on unless there are injuries that press him into action sooner.
Returning: AJ Terrell, Daren Hall, Dee Alford, Jaylinn Hawkins, Richie Grant, Cornell Armstrong
Aj Terrell is the shutdown corner of the Falcon's secondary. He will face every team's best receiver week after week. While yes, He didn't have the same kind of lockdown year he had in 2021 compared to 2022, he was still good. He allowed nine touchdowns last year, ranking him the 12th-best cornerback according to PFF heading into this season. With an improved unit around him in terms of a pass rush and the secondary, the hope is that he will revert closer to his 2021 form, making this entire defense better.
Darren Hall is a guy who was pressed into action last year due to injuries in the secondary. He had some flashes but also had some moments where he struggled. He is a guy who could be on the bubble due to the talent that was brought in this off-season. He will have to show the coaches going into his 3rd year that he has improved. He will be a guy closely monitored going into training camp and pre-season.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Dee Alford is a bit of a fan favorite. He came from a small school and then went to the Canadian football league, where he finished as a CFL All-Star in his first season. Then the Falcons gave him a chance and now he's entering his 2nd year with the team. He showed flashes in his first year, including a game-sealing interception against the Browns, but he also had inconsistent playing time. He will also compete to keep a spot in that secondary, especially at the Nickel spot. Alford has worked hard to get to this point, so you can only believe he will continue to and make it tough on the coaches not to keep him on the roster regardless of the added competition, three and could be a breakout candidate.
Cornell Armstrong had a very embattled season last year. He was activated from the practice squad last season due to injuries and struggled. Defenses targeted him as the weak link in the secondary. He will be on the bubble this year and has to show the coaching staff he has improved. The Falcons resigned him earlier in the off-season, so clearly, they see potential in him still, but now it's time to see if it pays off. Even if he doesn't make the team, he could be another practice squad candidate again.
Jaylinn Hawkins was a starter last year but looks to play a different role this year. With Jessie Bates on the squad, he may play more as a 3rd safety/nickel. I suspect the Falcons will use a 3 safety look and allow Hawkins to be more of a roamer in the secondary to help potentially get turnovers. He had two interceptions last year, which he wants to build on. The former 4th-round pick is looking to be a versatile member of the secondary and could be used in different ways this coming season as he heads into his 4th year.
(Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)
Richie Grant is considered an up-and-coming player going into his 3rd year after having his first full year of being a starter this past season. He had two interceptions and one forced fumble, with seven passes defended. He and Bates could make the next great safety duo in Atlanta. We already know Bates is great, but will Grant raise his game to that level this coming season? He has an excellent opportunity to establish himself as the player people believed the Falcons were getting out of UCF in 2021. It will be exciting to see his growth heading into camp.
Overall, the Falcons expect to improve at all three levels, especially in the secondary. He has a great batch of young and veteran talent and is looking to be one of the better pass defenses in the NFC and the whole league. It will be intriguing to see how Nielson uses his pieces and can lead a unit with great potential heading into the 2023 campaign.
Comentarios