It's game week for the Atlanta Falcons, as they matchup against the Detroit Lions. This is the first preseason game of the summer and will give players their first chance to go up against another team.
Going out there and playing against someone else instead of your teammates is a great test after weeks of intense practices. Multiple position battles are happening across the field. A fierce competition is happening at nickel cornerback, and rookie safety Billy Bowman Jr. is gaining serious steam. And that doesn't bode well for cornerback Dee Alford.
Falcons CB Dee Alford is on the Hot Seat
Bowman Jr. was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has been making waves this offseason.
ESPN's Dan Graziano recently pointed out that Bowman Jr. is getting attention at Falcons practice and will be used in the slot. Graziano wrote, "Another rookie turning heads in camp is fourth-round defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. The Falcons plan to use him in a nickel cornerback role, and his performance this offseason has them excited about the kind of impact player he can become in the pros."
Meanwhile, head coach Raheem Morris said there's a competition happening in the slot. Morris stated, "Dee Alford and Billy Bowman for the nickel," as one battle that's underway.
The rookie defender has also been getting first-team reps and is rotating with Alford, via Joe Patrick of 92.9 The Game.
Rookie nickel Billy Bowman Jr. repping with first team secondary at Falcons practice today. Not exclusively. Dee Alford also rotating in.
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) August 5, 2025
All of these developments don't paint a good picture around Alford, who has been with the Falcons for the last three seasons. Atlanta decided to re-sign him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, but that isn't major money.
Last season, Alford saw the most playing time of his career, appearing in 16 games (11 starts), logging 83 total tackles and 11 pass deflections. According to PFF, he finished with a 58.2 overall grade (ranking 139th among 222 graded cornerbacks) and a 55.9 coverage grade (ranking 147th among 222 graded cornerbacks). Alford also had a 119.2 passer rating allowed with 9.3 yards allowed per reception.
If Alford had played lights out last season, the Falcons would have handed him the starting role, but instead, a rookie defender is pushing him for his job.
As part of The Athletic's Dane Brugler's draft guide, he wrote, "With his range, fluidity and post-snap diagnosing skills, Bowman anticipates well in coverage to drive and finish at the football, and he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball," regarding Bowman Jr.
Over 47 collegiate games at Oklahoma, he finished with 199 total tackles, 13 pass breakups, and a whopping 11 interceptions. His ability to take the ball away is very enticing. That ability is an area where Alford hasn't contributed at a high level since entering the NFL, as he owns 1 career interception.
The Falcons brought Bowman Jr. in for a reason, and it already looks like he could have a role early on. And if he does, that means Alford will be on the bench, which isn't ideal for a guy on a one-year deal.