Atlanta Falcons: One Defensive Position Will Decide Much in 2017

The reigning NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons just completed their NFL Draft for 2017, and now look this weekend to begin deciding key roster spots. One defensive spot is particularly interesting.

It is now officially time to get rid of the 2016 Super Bowl hangover for our Atlanta Falcons. In fact, technically, that date was March 9, 2017…the official start of the 2017 NFL Season. But that’s just a random date and it was too soon. Now, however, we don’t have a choice.

The Atlanta Falcons just completed, what this writer believes to be, a successful draft. Was it particularly splashy and gaudy? Uh, no. Did it address needs at various positions and upgrade speed for a third straight year on what was an awful defense a few years ago? Uh, absolutely.

This weekend our beloved Falcons open the first weekend option for rookie mini-camp. Those six fortunate few who were drafted, and the 21 fortunate dudes who were signed as undrafted free agents, will all be there. The following week features the same thing.

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This is notable, because by mid-June, mandatory veteran mini-camp begins. And therein lies a quasi-drama. Most expect 1st Round pick Takk McKinley to play immediately (assuming healthy). Most assume that 2nd Round pick Duke Riley will see significant time.

But the possible position drama isn’t at their positions. It is actually at Cornerback. While Desmond Trufant will hold down his spot (assuming health), it is the other side of boundary corner that will provide intrigue and insight as to where Coach Dann Quinn is taking this roster.

Due to an early four game suspension in 2016 to Jalen Collins, Robert Alford manned the Right CornerBack slot (RCB). Granted, Collins was only in his 2nd year, and Alford was a veteran, so maybe Alford starts even without the suspension.

But once Collins came back, there was a difference in the back-end of the secondary. That is…until Trufant went down with a season ending injury. And, aye, there’s the rub.

Collins played well. He had two interceptions late in the regular season, and only had one penalty during that stint. Alford, on the other hand, led the team in penalties and had 11 penalties total (7-DPI, 4-DH, 1-Enc, 1-Unn Rough, 1-Ill hands.). That’s way too many freebies given to the other team.

It will be interesting to see what Coach Quinn does there. If Collins is ready to take that spot full-time, the speedy and handsy Alford could drop down to the slot or Nickel and do what he does best…make contact.

This certainly would have a ripple effect on the use of Deion Jones and Brian Poole. It could also affect usage of Ricardo Allen and Rookie Daemontae Kazee. A Trufant/Collins boundary would be long, lean, and fast. A slot or Nickel of Poole/Alford/Kazee would be physical, attached, and attacking.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Add Another Speedy Back in the Draft

But Coach Quinn gets the nod. At this point, one has to trust his judgement. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.

Notice, that was weeks…not months. The 2017 Atlanta Falcons are here. Time to put 2016 to bed. Time to put 2016 in the ground, and to Rise UP again.