A.J Terrell projected as Falcons' most improved player

It’s not easy being a rookie cornerback in the NFL. Atlanta’s A.J Terrell experienced the full extent of it in 2020.

Per Pro Football Focus, Terrell was targeted 102 times in 2020, good for the third-most in the league. He allowed 71 receptions for 901 yards and five touchdowns. However, there is reason for hope according to NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund, who projected Terrell as the most improved player for the Falcons heading into 2021.

Improvement over the season

The Clemson product was thrown directly into the fire for a Falcons defense that needed contributors in the defensive backfield badly. As a rookie, Terrell started all 14 games he was available for. He recorded just one interception, but also had three forced fumbles and 74 tackles.

Frelund pointed out two specific reasons for optimism heading into Terrell’s second year.

“First, Terrell’s pursuit-speed decrease (a computer-vision metric I use as a proxy for fatigue) improved the most of any rookie corner from Week 1 through the end of the season,” she said. “Second, he got better at covering deeper routes toward the end of the season, which could be a signal that it took him some time to adapt to the NFL game.”

A.J Terrell has a year’s worth of experience under his belt now, and with a full offseason of work, he’s not too far from turning it around. Early reviews from training camp have been overwhelmingly positive, an example seen below from Scott Bair, digital managing editor for the Atlanta Falcons.

Haven’t been covering this Falcons team long, but it’s already obvious that AJ Terrell is a real talent. Dude can flat play. Excited to see him work in 2021.

— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) August 1, 2021

Better scheme fit

After a disastrous 2020 season, the Falcons cleaned house, firing former head coach Dan Quinn just five games into the season. They decided against retaining interim head coach Raheem Morris at the end of the season in favor of former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Smith was able to coax legendary defensive coordinator Dean Pees out of retirement to lead the defense. With Pees at the helm, expect the Falcons to run more zone coverage, which suits Terrell better, given his experience in a zone scheme at Clemson.

A change in leadership also meant a change in personnel. Gone are former secondary running mates Keanu Neal, Damonatae Kazee and Ricardo Allen. Instead, it will largely be a youth movement in Atlanta, with Terrell expected to take up the mantle as a true CB1.

Beside Terrell will be third-year cornerback Kendall Sheffield from Ohio State, fourth-year cornerback Isaiah Oliver, rookie Richie Grant from UCF at safety. The veteran in the room is former Patriots and Lions safety Duron Harmon.

At Clemson, Terrell was credited with 107 tackles, 20 pass breakups, six interceptions and two forced fumbles. As a junior in 2019, he was a first-team All-ACC selection. Most memorably, Terrell is remembered for his pick-six against Alabama in the 2018-2019 College Football Playoff National Championship.