Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players to Watch at Niners

With CB Robert Alford and SS William Moore out in Week 9 and CB Desmond Trufant still not at 100 percent from his collision with Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans last week, the Atlanta Falcons’ secondary is mightily banged up and somebody has to rise to the occasion in the defensive backfield.

Since the 49ers are one of the most injury-plagued teams in football, with marginal weapons on the outside, and starting a backup at quarterback, look for rookie CB Jalen Collins to not only start, but to thrive in Santa Clara on Sunday.

HC Dan Quinn has transitioned into starting Collins on the outside with Alford in a more ideal fit for him in the nickel. While CB Phillip Adams has played well in extended time in the nickel to start the year, I think Atlanta will have no worries there.

Essentially shutdown CB Desmond Trufant will play on an island on Sunday, Phillip Adams will play in the nickel package, putting Collins into a starting outside role. Gabbert will wish he had the surprisingly strong receiving corps of Jacksonville in this game, as he may struggle to find open targets on this offense.

Tomorrow is a great opportunity for Jalen Collins to play like he did at LSU: physical in press coverage, with advantageous speed and length to drop into man coverage on deep passes. Quinn is very familiar with the 49ers, so look for Collins to get some great starting experience in the NFL this week. Maybe he comes down with an errant pass, I don’t know.

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