The Atlanta Falcons are heading into Year 3 of the Arthur Smith era and are trending in a good direction. The team has outperformed expectations thus far, going 7-10 in both seasons and are in a position to take that next step in 2023.
A big factor in how far the Falcons will go is quarterback Desmond Ridder. Despite having numerous opportunities to make a change, they committed to the 2022 third-round pick as their starter for the upcoming season. Will that be something that comes back to bite them in the end? Only time will tell how things turn out for the offense, but the defense should be much improved in 2023.
Some wholesale changes were made on that side of the ball as 13 different players on that side of the ball were signed in free agency or acquired via trade. Headlining those additions were safety Jessie Bates III, pass rusher Bud Dupree and the No. 3 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, cornerback Jeff Okudah.
The defense was an Achilles heel for the Falcons in 2022, with their pass defense being especially poor. Arguably the only bright spot in the secondary was cornerback AJ Terrell, whom Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes Atlanta should work out an extension with before the 2023 season.
Terrell, like Okudah, was a member of the 2020 NFL Draft class. He was selected No. 16 overall by the Falcons out of Clemson and has turned into a valuable member of their defense. He has been a starter for the team since Day 1 and has improved each season.
In his sophomore season, Terrell landed on the All-Pro Second Team, which highlights how much potential he possesses. His raw numbers took a hit in 2022, but that is because teams are beginning to throw at him less and less.
With the top of the cornerback market beginning to get expensive, with three players making $18 million annually, the time is now for the Falcons to lock Terrell into a deal. If he continues trending in this direction and makes a Pro Bowl team in 2023, that $18 million could become his floor.
The NFL has turned into a pass-first league, so having good cornerback play is a must. Terrell has provided that and is only getting better as he won’t turn 25 until September. Locking him into an extension would provide the Falcons with a foundational piece in their secondary to build around and avoid having to potentially pay even more money down the line.
