Pro Football Focus names Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant as Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Sep 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) in the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

During the Atlanta Falcons’ horrendous 2013-2014 season, there weren’t very many things to get excited about. Sure, fans could always look at the quarterback position and be happy that they had Matt Ryan instead of Matt Schaub, but other than that and Tony Gonzalez, there wasn’t much positivity to go around.

However, Desmond Trufant may have given us something to look forward to. After a shaky preseason, Trufant settled in and became one of the games top cornerbacks–he led the league with 15 pass break-ups.

Trufant’s performance throughout the year on one of the league’s worst defenses was impressive enough for ProFootballFocus.com to name him their 2013 Rookie of the Year. While the team has ALOT of work left to be done on the defensive side of the ball and the offensive line, it’s nice to know that Atlanta has a relatively scarce position filled for at least three more seasons.

Here’s what Khaled Elsayed said about Trufant in the PFF announcement:

"He snuck up on us, lost a little in a horrible year for Atlanta but shining brightly enough by the end that nobody could miss it.Trufant looked a little lost in preseason but we’re now convinced he was just rope-a-doping us because once the regular season started he looked like exactly the player the Falcons needed from the draft. He ended the year with a league-leading 15 pass break-ups to go with his two picks, allowing just 53.4% of balls thrown his way to be completed."

Congrats to Trufant on the on the honor, and to Thomas Dimitroff on seemingly nailing a 1st-round pick.