Atlanta Falcons star defender set up well for a bounce-back season in 2024 | Sporting News

PFF’s Brad Locker labeled one player from all 32 NFL teams that is set up well for a bounce-back season in 2024. For the Atlanta Falcons, Locker decided that star defender A.J. Terrell is set up to bounce back from an improved, but not elite, 2023 season.

The Falcons field several blue-chip youngsters who could dominate in 2024, and Terrell headlines those looking to regain traction. Terrell was one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in 2021, but his past two seasons haven’t met that mark. He finished with overall grades below 75.0 and passer ratings allowed of at least 95.0 in 2022 and 2023.

With defensive-oriented head coach Raheem Morris in place, Terrell should benefit from one of the game’s better 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 set to expire at the end of the year, Terrell has an extra incentive to play like the superstar he showcased he once was.

Atlanta has one of the best environments, coaching-wise, 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. Securing this secondary’s success was a point of emphasis this off-season.

Atlanta was one of the better 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 were 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 defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. He’s in Jacksonville now.

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