Atlanta’s Pass Defense is Bad
At the heart of this issue is that Atlanta badly needed help in their secondary. The Falcons came in as the 21st best team in passing yards given up per game. In a division where you have to face Drew Brees twice and year and an offseason that added two meetings with Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater, stopping the pass becomes top priority.
In the draft, there was a perceived big drop off between AJ Terrell and the remainder of the cornerbacks available. The best teams do not reach in the draft, but if Atlanta decided they needed a CB in round one, then Terrell was easily the best choice.
Terrell is going to be able to step right in and be a starting cornerback for the Falcons. Atlanta could not afford to wait for a development prospect if they have any hope of returning to the playoffs this year.
Terrell also had what is overall a good collegiate career. The last game he played was a disaster and that is what people focus on, but he was a productive corner for Clemson who had experience with the top wide receivers in the ACC as well as multiple trips to the College Football Playoffs to take on the best receivers in the country. Terrell provided an immediate upgrade for Atlanta.
