The Falcons defense is scarce with talent, and in a couple of seasons, there will be few current players still on the team. Atlanta lacks proper personnel for Dean Pees to pressure opposing offenses. The defense is just not a very good overall unit, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great individual pieces.
Grady Jarrett is as reliable as the come in this league; the staff can count on him day in and day out through any situation. Deion Jones and Foyesade Oluokun are rangy, athletic linebackers; a pleasant surprise, too, is Jaylinn Hawkins, who has really impressed the last couple of weeks. But the Falcons defender that has most impressed is A.J. Terrell.
Terrell is entering an elite territory among corners, and the national media is taking notice.
The Falcons took a lot of heat for selecting A.J. Terrell over CeeDee Lamb…
But this year Terrell has given up the fewest yards of any starting CB in the NFL (74)
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) November 8, 2021
Falcons second-year CB AJ Terrell has been phenomenal this season.
– 55.9 Passer Rating Allowed (2nd)
– 0.3 Yards Allowed per Coverage Snap (1st)— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) November 1, 2021
It is a shame that @AtlantaFalcons CB @ajterrell_8 isn’t on the radar as one of the top DBs in the NFL. He has earned that right. So good in coverage and run support.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) November 7, 2021
Terrell is an aggressive and physical run defender, which is sometimes hard to find in cornerbacks. Obviously, though, the former Clemson Tiger is being touted for his coverage ability. He’s valuable to this defense beyond statistics, but here are his stats in coverage this season:
- Week 1 vs. Eagles: 3 RECs, 30 yards
- Week 2 at Buccanneers: 0 RECs
- Week 4 vs. Washington Football Team: 1 REC, 2 yards
- Week 5 vs. Jets (England): 2 RECs, 10 yards
- Week 7 at Dolphins: 3 RECs, 14 yards
- Week 8 vs. Panthers: 2 RECs, -1 yard
- Week 9 at Saints: 2 RECs, 19 yards, 1 TD
- Season Total:Â 13 RECs, 74 yards, 1 TD
Terrell is turning heads; if he can stay consistent, he’ll surely receive accolades by the season’s end.
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Photo: Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
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