The Atlanta Falcons’ star defender is well prepared for a bounce-back season in 2024

PFF’s Brad Locker called a player on all 32 NFL teams who is well-prepared for a bounce-back season in 2024. For the Atlanta Falcons, Locker decided star defender AJ Terrell is ready to bounce back after an improved season , but not elite. , 2023 season.

The Falcons are fielding several blue-chip youngsters who could dominate in 2024, and Terrell headlines those looking to get back on the field. Terrell was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in 2021, but his last two seasons fell short of that mark. He finished with overall grades below 75.0 and passer ratings allowed of at least 95.0 in 2022 and 2023.

With defensively oriented head coach Raheem Morris, Terrell should benefit from one of the game’s best minds on that side of the ball. It’s no coincidence that Morris had success with Jalen Ramsey and helped develop players like Darious Williams with the Rams. With his contract expiring at the end of the year, Terrell has added incentive to play like the superstar he once showed he was.

Atlanta has one of the best environments, from a coaching standpoint, for a young defensive back with head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and the retention of assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray. Ensuring the success of this secondary was an important point this offseason.

Atlanta was one of the best teams against the run last season, finishing the season first in EPA/rush allowed. In the passing game, they ranked 21st in EPA/dropback allowed, but also fifth in dropback success rate. This secondary played well (top ten in passing yards allowed and net yards per attempt allowed), but that was under the direction of defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. He’s in Jacksonville now.

In 2021, Terrell had his breakout year under Dean Pees, allowing a 61.0 passer rating when targeted (tied for 9th in the NFL). He also had a near-elite PFF grade of 82.7 in zone coverage. With the quarterback-heavy schedule that Morris and Lake appear to be rolling out, Terrell is back in his element and ready to take the next step toward earning that first-team All-Pro designation that eluded him in 2021.