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2020 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Settle for Clemson Cornerback, A.J. Terrell

By Alex Gilstrap

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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With the 16th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select A.J. Terrell, the cornerback from Clemson.

Heading into the Thursday night of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons were heavily rumored to be looking to be aggressive and move up in the first round. With defense looking to be the priority for Thomas Dimitrioff and the Falcons’ front office, every mock draft leading up to the big day had Atlanta coming away with former SEC defensive studs like C.J. Henderson, Javon Kinlaw, and K’Lavon Chaisson.

The thoughts that the Atlanta Falcons may trade up for Chase Young or Jeffrey Okudah in the 2020 NFL Draft were quickly shut down as they were selected with the 2nd and 3rd picks respectively. With many of the Falcons’ potential targets coming off the board in the top-10, Atlanta fans became weary that they would be able to get one of the guys in the 2020 NFL Draft that they wanted in the red and black.

Without trading up like the rumors were thought to be, the Atlanta Falcons selected A.J. Terrell, the cornerback from Clemson. Terrell has so many tools but was inconsistent throughout the college football season. The need at cornerback in the NFC South was prevalent, yet the board did not fall in a favorable manner for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The NFC South is filled with quarterback and wide receiver talent, so the Atlanta Falcons selecting a cornerback prospect in the first round was the correct move. It is unfortunate that Thomas Dimitrioff couldn’t find the right deal to move ahead of Jacksonville to get the better prospect in my opinion in C.J. Henderson.

Next. The Atlanta Falcons' Late-Round Targets. dark

It is good to see that Thomas Dimitrioff has prioritized the correct position groups early in the last couple of drafts, however, the value of the prospects they have taken is not as ideal. Terrell will likely compete with Isaiah Oliver for the number one cornerback duties when football resumes operations.

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