The Atlanta Falcons hope they can improve their pass defense, which on paper looked good, allowing the 8th-fewest passing yards but allowed the 10th-most passing touchdowns and the 5th-fewest interceptions in 2023.
The Falcons have two of their three starting cornerback spots locked in. A.J. Terrell will start on the right side, and Dee Alford will start in the slot, leaving a vacancy on the left side. The Falcons have struggled to find a boundary cornerback to complement Terrell throughout his first four seasons and tried their luck by acquiring a former 3rd-overall pick last season.
The Atlanta Falcons acquired a former 3rd-overall pick last offseason
The Falcons traded for Jeff Okudah during the offseason in 2023, hoping he could complement their elite cornerback. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan. He played 13 games with nine starts.
Okudah recorded 44 tackles, three pass deflections, and a 50.5 PFF grade. He allowed 38 receptions on 58 targets for 528 yards and a 94.6 passer rating.
The Falcons elected not to re-sign him, and he signed a one-year deal with the Texans.
Two players will compete for the starting spot.
Player #1
The first player competing for the starting spot is Clark Phillips III. The 4th round pick from 2023 enters his second season in the league after playing 11 games in his rookie season with five starts. He recorded 27 tackles, five pass deflections, and a 59.0 PFF grade. He allowed 18 receptions on 36 targets for 229 yards, two touchdowns, and an 88.8 passer rating.
Player #2
The second player competing for the starting spot is Mike Hughes. The former 1st-round pick from 2018 is on his fourth team and his seventh year in the NFL. He signed a two-year contract with the Falcons last season.
Hughes saw some playing time in 2023, appearing in 15 games, starting four, and playing 235 snaps in the slot and 60 in the corner. He recorded 21 tackles, one pass deflection, and a 51.8 PFF grade. He allowed ten receptions on 19 targets for 104 yards, one touchdown, and an 86.3 passer rating.
Dee Alford played most of the snaps in the slot, and because of that, Alford is a lock in the slot, and Hughes will have to compete for the boundary position.
Who received first-team reps?
Due to A.J. Terrell’s hamstring injury, Clark Phillips III and Mike Hughes received first-team reps in OTAs, and both players received first-team reps throughout mandatory minicamp.
Expect the CB2 competition to heat up during training camp.
Who wins the CB2 competition?
