A.J. Terrell

Terrell has been an above average cornerback since the Falcons drafted him in the first round in 2020, totaling 202 tackles, 32 pass defenses, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in three seasons. The fifth-year option on his rookie deal was exercised this offseason, so he's under contract through 2024 and figures to remain Atlanta's top CB for at least the next two campaigns. His production dropped in 2022, but with the addition of safety Jessie Bates, the Falcons secondary has improved on paper, which may help Terrell bounce back in 2023.

Terrell finished his second season in the NFL with 81 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack across 16 appearances. The 2020 first-round pick is under his rookie contract through 2023 and expected to be one of Atlanta's defensive cornerstones until then. His consistent tackle numbers to start his career - 155 stops in 30 games - make him a high-floor IDP option next year. However, he also displayed immense playmaking upside (16 pass defenses last season), which could increase his fantasy value even more in Year 3.

One of the few bright spots in the Falcons' league-worst pass defense in 2020, Terrell started all 14 games in which he was healthy and finished his rookie season with 74 tackles and a team-high seven pass deflections. The 16th overall pick of last year's draft had his share of struggles, including giving up six touchdowns and a 109.6 quarterback rating on 106 coverage targets. Terrell again is slated to start at corner after the Falcons only signed Fabian Moreau and used two Day 3 draft picks on the position this offseason.

The Falcons' brass determined that an invigoration of youth was needed in the secondary, leading to the release of Desmond Trufant, the team's top corner from the past seven seasons. Evidently, GM Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn had a plan to fill the vacancy and ended up taking Clemson defensive back Terrell at 16th overall. Terrell helped the Tigers to a 29-1 record during his two years as a starter and scored the first points of the 2019 National Championship Game, capturing a 44-yard pick-six during a 44-16 drubbing of Alabama. Many analysts point to his final collegiate performance as a red flag, however, citing that he may struggle holding up consistently to top-level competition, given that LSU's Ja'Marr Chase dominated his counterpart Terrell to the tune of nine catches and 221 yards in this year's title game.