Defenseman DeMarcco Hellams looking to take ‘another step’ in second year

In each of Hellams’ starts, he played alongside teammate Jessie Bates III. Richie Grant also joined them for two games, creating a rotation among the safeties. The times when there were three starting safeties were experimental and situational, with the hopes that the package would put the Falcons in the best position to win while utilizing the overall talent on their roster. As it turned out, they went 2-0 in those instances.

“I was grateful for how my rookie year went,” Hellams said. “I wouldn’t say I was happy because it didn’t end up the way I envisioned it as a player or as a team. I never want to get caught up in being an individual.

“But I definitely think based on what people expected of me as a rookie, I may have exceeded those expectations. But as far as the expectations I set for myself, I’m not going to lie, there’s a lot of things I can improve on.”

“I still feel like there’s room to improve in every area,” Hellams said. “But I’m just taking it one game at a time, processing things at a faster pace and taking another step forward in my second year. I’m not out there like it’s the first time I’ve seen things.”

He wants to be more like Bates, who is entering his seventh year in the NFL and has been named to the Pro Bowl. Hellams believes Bates really trusts his instruction and his live-action preparation. That’s why Bates is able to consistently make exceptional plays — 132 tackles, 11 pass breakups, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2023, just in 2023.

With more practice and experience, Hellams believes he can develop that confidence in himself, too. He hopes his jump from freshman to sophomore will be remarkable. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be. There’s nothing holding him back. Not with training camp right around the corner in late July.

“No rookie development meetings or anything,” Hellams said. “I’m really excited.”