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Falcons secondary

After selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 48 in Round 2, the Atlanta Falcons may have just completed one of the deepest, most talented secondaries in the NFC.

Because when you layer Avieon’s 27 pass breakups and relentless ball-hawking abilities into a room that already includes A.J. Terrell, Jessie Bates III, and Xavier Watts coming off a five interception rookie season, the Falcons’ secondary starts looking borderline unfair.

The depth chart now

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A.J. Terrell, the older brother of Avieon Terrell, is the Atlanta Falcons’ dominant CB1, a former second team All-Pro who held opposing receivers to an average of 2 yards of separation in 2025, ranking fourth best among outside corners. 

Behind him, Mike Hughes returns as the veteran No. 2 option on the outside with Dee Alford leaving in free agency. Now add Avieon. He’s had 27 pass breakups since 2023 (tied for third most in FBS). And he set Clemson’s career record for forced fumbles by a defensive back with eight as he made third team All-American and first team All-ACC in 2025.

Rookie slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. was so good in six games before an Achilles injury that he’s already penciled in as the long term slot starter. Behind him, Darnay Holmes and Mike Ford Jr. give the Falcons experienced insurance.

GM Ian Cunningham said “you can never have enough good corners,” and he clearly meant it.

At safety, the Falcons have Jessie Bates III, a three time second team All-Pro safety who had three clutch interceptions last year including a pick six against the Rams. And Xavier Watts, who posted five interceptions as a rookie.

The depth behind them is quietly impressive too with Sydney Brown, Jammie Robinson, and DeMarcco Hellams. Add in C.J. Henderson, Cobee Bryant, Clark Phillips III, and Natrone Brooks on the boundary, and you can clearly see how deep and electric the Falcons secondary is.

The Falcons knew exactly what they were getting. Falcons area scout Shepley Heard spotted him at a Monday night Clemson practice years ago. “The guy is just flying around,” Heard said. “You could see the athleticism, the energy. You could see the juice.”

The real reason he was drafted

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Let’s be clear: Avieon Terrell was not drafted simply because he’s A.J.’s brother. “Avieon’s his own man,” general manager Ian Cunningham said. “He’s tough, competitive, scrappy, plays the ball the way we want our guys to play.”

The grading was independent. The evaluation stood on its own. But when A.J. got the call Friday night and hugged his little brother, nobody in that room was complaining about the process.

“A real dream come true,” A.J. said. “I played the story in my head a few times. I didn’t think it would happen, though.”

Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney said Avieon “plays longer than he is” and is still physically growing into his frame. Shepley Heard called it even more directly. “With Avieon, you’re getting a young player who has just touched the surface of what we believe he can be.” 

The Atlanta Falcons secondary is set. Now the interior defensive line just needs to catch up.