'Tougher Than Hell!' How Falcons' Dee Alford Fits in Ryan Nielsen Defense

From the CFL to the NFL, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford looks set for a starting role in 2023.

For second-year cornerback Dee Alford, training camp will be his time to solidify his standing on the Atlanta Falcons roster. 

The Falcons already have their cornerback pairing on the outside with A.J. Terrell and Jeff Okudah after trading for the latter this offseason. Additionally, Alford looks set to be the starting nickel corner. 

Alford's performance through most of the offseason workouts has earned him public praise from coach Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Said Smith via ESPN: “He’s tougher than hell ... Those were some of the traits that you saw in those guys as we brought them in and worked them out. He’s really done a nice job.”

Despite originally being seen as a long-shot to make the 53-man roster last season after signing with Atlanta after two years in the CFL, Alford recorded meaningful snaps for the Falcons in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, Alford played 79 percent of his snaps in the slot corner role. Of his 264 total snaps last season, Alford saw 210 at the nickel position.

The 25-year-old has transitioned from the CFL to the NFL and is doing it in one of the hardest spots to play in the secondary. Nowadays, most defenses ask their nickel corner to do more than cover the receiver and tight end in the slot. Some systems, like the one the Falcons ran under former coordinator Dean Pees, asked their nickel to function as a blitzer or, if needed to play some safety. 

Alford played in 16 games last season, breaking out in the absence of the then-injured Isaiah Oliver, the Falcons first-team nickel who is now with the San Francisco 49ers. Alford recorded 25 tackles, seven passes defended, and a game-sealing interception against the Cleveland Browns. 

"I'm just that team player doing whatever to achieve the ultimate goal, which is to win the Super Bowl," Alford said recently via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

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