Falcon Report

Falcons WATCH: Rookie Demarcco Hellams Intercepts Dolphins QB Mike White

Demarcco Hellams is making big plays for the Atlanta Falcons against the Miami Dolphins.

Jeremy Brener

In this story:

Talk about making an impact in your NFL debut.

The Atlanta Falcons are kicking off preseason against the Miami Dolphins, and the defense was taking gash after gash from the opposing offense all the way into the red zone.

However, on a play-action pass with Mike White looking for the game-opening touchdown, seventh-round rookie Demarcco Hellams came in to save the day.

Here's a look at the play ...

Hellams was taken with the No. 224 pick in the NFL Draft after four seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The 6-1, 203-pound Hellams played in 54 games across four seasons in Tuscaloosa and led the Crimson Tide in tackles this past season with 108, good enough to rank sixth in the SEC. He added three tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and an interception in 2022.

Hellams, 22, started his career at Alabama on special teams and will follow a similar path in Atlanta, where his physicality and tackling translate nicely to kickoff and punt coverage teams.

As a safety, Hellams thrives in the box against the run and has experience playing in the slot, which defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is expected to value in the "big nickel" role.

When entering the seventh round, the success rate of players making final rosters isn't great ... but it doesn't feel far-fetched to see Hellams making the team out of camp due to his potential to be a special teams standout with added benefit as a niche-fit big nickel.

The Falcons and Dolphins are tied midway through the first quarter.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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