Falcons Training Camp: Who Leads CB Battle?
Few teams made more moves to upgrade their defense than the Atlanta Falcons this offseason.
Among the moves was trading a fifth round pick to the Detroit Lions for cornerback Jeff Okudah. Though they're just a day into training camp, he may be poised for a big role.
ESPN's Michael Rothstein reported that Okudah ran with Atlanta's first unit as an outside cornerback opposite AJ Terrell. Dee Alford started at nickel for the first unit. Rothstein also reported that with the second unit, Tre Flowers and Cornell Armstrong were the outside corners, while Mike Hughes was in the slot.
Okudah running with the first team is a promising sign for Atlanta. Anytime a team trades for a player that plays at a position of need, the goal is that they'll contribute right away. The fourth-year corner started 15 games for Detroit, had one interception and had a career-high 73 tackles last season.
Terrell and Alford leading the first-unit isn't a surprise after their play last season. Terrell has proved to be Atlanta's top corner on the outside, while Alford had one interception and seven passes defended in 16 games last season.
For Flowers, Hughes and Armstrong, their experience and versatility regardless of their position will be key for Atlanta's given the attrition players go through during the season.
If Atlanta is going to live up to expectations this season, their defense will have to improve after being second to last in sacks in 2022 along with being in the bottom-half in points allowed and other key stats. While Atlanta is only a day into training camp, Okudah running with the first unit and key depth pieces leading the second unit may be a promising sign.
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