The Atlanta Falcons stayed put at 16 overall and drafted A.J. Terrell. A standout at Clemson, Terrell is a talented cover corner but his tackling ability is lacking. He’s got a ridiculously high ceiling, though, and could potentially be one of the best corners in the NFL one day.
The Falcons desperately needed a starting cornerback. With just Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Oliver, Jordan Miller and Josh Hawkins on the roster, the team was looking for a No. 1 option. Terrell should slot right in as the No. 1 corner, with Sheffield playing the right side as the No. 2. In nickel sets, the team would bring in Oliver to play the right corner and have Sheffield in the slot.
Terrell is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound player who has the frame to add some more weight in an NFL strength program. He’s fast with 4.42 speed and could keep up with any wide receiver in the NFC South. He’ll have a ton of challenges during his rookie year, though. Going against Michael Thomas, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and D.J. Moore just in his own division will be tough.
Why A.J. Terrell instead of EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson or CB Kristian Fulton or a trade up for Isaiah Simmons?
The cost to trade up may have just been too much for Atlanta. Simmons would have been an excellent selection, but it just wasn’t meant to be for the Falcons. Terrell has more applicable cover skills than Fulton early in the draft. The Falcons could turn this into a great pick if they use him right, but Terrell was not close to the top player left on the board.
