There aren’t many NFL defenders who had a greater season in 2021 than former Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell.
The Atlanta Falcon ended the season ranked as the highest nook by Pro Football Focus. During his breakout second season, Terrell allowed the fewest passing yards in opposition to him in the league, and PFF’s 47.5% passer score and 43.9% completion score allowed had been the very best charges by a cornerback in the NFL.
Terrell completed the yr with 81 tackles and three interceptions, two greater than his rookie season. He had 16 passes defended as nicely.
It was an enormous yr for a participant who was maligned when he was chosen sixteenth total in the 2020 NFL Draft. Pundits and followers thought the Falcons reached too excessive for the Clemson Tiger who was anticipated to go later in the draft.
However, SI’s Falcon Report took a look at where Terrell would probably go in a hypothetical re-draft of 2020 gamers. He may’ve gone as excessive as fourth, doubtlessly.
Regardless, it appears to be like just like the Falcons obtained a steal with their draft choice two years in the past. Terrell had an up-and-down rookie season in 2020 as he discovered the best way to deal with NFL receivers. But the massive bounce in 2021 provides Atlanta a key defender to construct round for the longer term.
As Falcon Report identified, Terrell dominated at his place regardless of enjoying on a protection that produced the worst pass-rush in the league. He made the Pro Football Focus All-Pro first crew, however Terrell was left off of the AP’s All-Pro record and the Pro Bowl roster.
He’ll have one thing to shoot for in 2022, and the Falcons will probably draft to assist him on a protection that gave up the seventh-most yards per recreation in 2021.
Terrell had 101 tackles and 6 interceptions in three seasons at Clemson. He made the All-ACC first crew in 2018 and helped the Tigers win a nationwide title that season, returning an interception for a landing in the championship recreation in opposition to Alabama.
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