The most consistently interesting battle throughout Atlanta Falcons camp and preseason action was the pending secondary decision. Veteran safety Justin Simmons remains a free agent after one frustrating year with the franchise. Star safety Jessie Bates needed a new running mate, and starting corners A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes need a third option to start in the slot. Both of these questions now have clear answers with a rookie duo stepping in to claim both starting jobs.
Xavier Watts will be starting at safety, surprising no one after the final roster was revealed. The rookie beat out Fuller and Hellams, who both had strong moments throughout the summer. However, the promise of the rookie was far too exciting to pass on. Leading to the slow corner position, where Billy Bowman Jr. has replaced last year's starter, Dee Alford.
For fans who watched the end of the 2024 season, it doesn't come as a surprise that Alford has been demoted by the rookie Bowman. The veteran corner struggled at the end of the season, giving up what would prove to be the season-ending touchdown to the Washington Commanders.
Billy Bowman Jr. is the Falcons' starter at nickel. https://t.co/g3X27B9wwV
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) August 28, 2025
Falcons Announce Exciting Update with Defensive Rookie Duo Starting Season Opener
Tori McElhaney reported that Bowman was expected to replace Alford in the season opener in a move that has Atlanta fans excited. The rookie plays with a level of violence and intensity that is a welcome addition to the group. For Alford, it is a demotion to being the 4th corner and the first man up if anything goes wrong this season.
It is an earned demotion when you look back at the tape of each of Alford's final five games in the 2024 season. There simply isn't any justifying the level of play the corner demonstrated if you expect to contend for anything of note. As much as the corner remains a great story, it was time to turn the page and hope to find an improvement.
If both Watts and Bowman can be answered beyond just this season, the franchise will have two incredibly valuable pieces on rookie deals. This is especially important as Bijan Robinson and Drake London are both quickly approaching needing new contracts.
The Falcons' cap space will be freed up a bit with the expected release or trade of Kirk Cousins sometime in the next year. However, there is still incredible value in having rookie contracts starting, and Bowman offers this upside while replacing a struggling veteran.