The Atlanta Falcons have two solid starting-caliber outside cornerbacks, A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes, but need help in the slot. Dee Alford, their projected starter, struggled tremendously last season, giving up a 72% completion percentage, 606 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and a 117.9 passer rating. Billy Bowman Jr., their fourth-round pick and other contender, has yet to play in the NFL, and it’s too early to tell whether he will pan out.
Because of this, the Falcons could bring in a veteran.
The Atlanta Falcons could be in play for veteran DB
Mike Hilton is considered one of the best free-agent cornerbacks and the best slot corner available. Hilton, the 31-year-old, spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and played a pivotal role in the secondary. He recorded 283 tackles, 36 TFLs, six interceptions, one pick-six, and 24 pass deflections in 64 regular-season games and 36 starts.
Mike Hilton had a solid 2024 campaign, performing well against the run and doing a decent job in coverage. Hilton recorded 73 tackles, 12 TFLs, one interception, and five pass deflections, giving up a 67.2% completion percentage, 356 yards, three touchdowns, and a 92.0 passer rating in 16 games and ten starts. He also posted six pressures, 38 stops, a 68.5 coverage grade, a 91.7 run defense grade, and a 75.9 overall PFF grade.
The 13-interception playmaker is named a best fit by ESPN
In an ESPN article, Matt Bowen goes through the top available free agents and their best fits. Bowen names the Atlanta Falcons as the best fit for Mike Hilton. He points to his ability as a coverage corner, an excellent run defender, a blitzer, and a fit for Raheem Morris’ zone coverage scheme.
“A slot corner who plays with a sense of urgency, Hilton would immediately upgrade the Falcons’ nickel package. He has a natural feel for playing in space as a coverage defender, with the aggressive mentality to tackle and blitz on the edges. The fit also works here in Raheem Morris’ zone-heavy defense (61.2% of opponent dropbacks in 2024),” Bowen said.
“Hilton can match inside or patrol alleys as an overhang defender and blitzer. He has recorded 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups in eight NFL seasons.”
