Atlanta Falcons select A.J. Terrell in 2020 NFL Draft: Grading the pick
The Atlanta Falcons selected A.J. Terrell with their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at how the pick will help this year.
The Atlanta Falcons ended up going the route of defense with their first selection in the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday night. In the opening round of the draft, which will wrap up on Saturday, the Falcons selected Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell at No. 16 overall in the draft.
With Atlanta surrounded in trade rumors throughout the week leading up to the draft in terms of potentially trying to move up in Thursday’s opening round, the Falcons ended up standing pat at their original pick to land Terrell.
One of the things Atlanta needed to address early in this draft, and it will need to continue in the following rounds, is shoring up some holes on the defensive side of the ball.
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With the selection of Terrell, filling those needs on defense to counter the Falcons’ high-powered offense is underway.
At first glance, the selection of Terrell fills a need for Atlanta but it is a pick that has been viewed as a bit of reach, with multiple mock drafts having the cornerback going later on in the first round or the early portion of the second round.
This pick was the first shocker of the night during an opening round that was held fairly tame as far as moves being made in the draft order.
Terrell will provide the Falcons with a young cornerback within a position that was of great need for the organization, but some could argue that he would have been available later on for Atlanta if it would have been willing to wait.
Terrell is a lengthy defensive back that has the ability to hold opposing wide receivers in check as a lockdown corner. He is also a speedy option out of the back end of the defense and provides the Falcons with another option when it comes to being able to blitz the quarterback.
Terrell concluded his three-year career at Clemson with 107 career tackles, 20 pass breakups, six interceptions and two forced fumbles over 1,800 total snaps in 44 games.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. player. 44. Clemson. A.J. Terrell. C
Given the fact the Falcons made a reach to grab a cornerback they maybe could have tried to even trade back and select later on in the first round, I would give them a grade of C for this first-round selection.
In the opening round of the draft, Atlanta arguably made a reach in going out and filling a need at cornerback. But the Falcons are hoping they have found a long-term option at defensive back for the 2020 season and beyond after this pick.
Next. 2020 NFL Draft grades: Instant reaction to first-round picks. dark
Now the work will continue for the Falcons to continue to address other needs on defense during days two and three of the NFL Draft.