When the Falcons selected AJ Terrell in the 2020 NFL draft, many pundits felt it was a reach for the former Clemson cornerback; those across social media platforms antagonized Falcons fans for not selecting CeeDee Lamb. After all, Terrell was absolutely torched on the biggest stage of college football — the National Championship.
Ja’Marr Chase, in particular, had his way with the Clemson defense during the 2019 championship game. Chase finished with 221 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just nine catches. The first score came from 52-yards out as Chase got past Terrell in the first quarter to tie the game. Then later in the game, he beat Terrell outside, leaving him in his dust for an easy score.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1216904483889930240?s=20
Chase was only a sophomore during that game but broke O.J. Howard‘s single-game receiving record in a College Football Playoff. Now, Chase is dominating NFL competition with his college teammate Joe Burrow in Cinnicinatti, already breaking rookie receiving records — most yards (754) by a rookie in his first seven games. It is clear that Ja’Marr Chase is just an elite talent and not an indictment on Terrell because he has quietly entered elite territory among cornerbacks.
#Falcons CB A.J. Terrell catches, yards allowed each game
• Week 1 (Eagles) – 3 rec, 30 yds
• Week 2 (Bucs) – 0 rec, 0 yds
• Week 4 (WFT) – 1 rec, 2 yds
• Week 5 (Jets) – 2 rec, 10 yds
• Week 7 (Dolphins) – 3 rec, 14 yds
• Week 8 (Panthers) – 2 rec, -1 yd— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 1, 2021
Falcons second-year CB AJ Terrell has been phenomenal this season.
– 55.9 Passer Rating Allowed (2nd)
– 0.3 Yards Allowed per Coverage Snap (1st)— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) November 1, 2021
The Falcons took a lot of heat for selecting A.J. Terrell over CeeDee Lamb…
But this year Terrell has given up the fewest yards of any starting CB in the NFL (74)
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) November 8, 2021
Terrell made several impressive pass breakups Sunday against the Saints, but this is nothing new. The tweets above illustrate just how effective he’s been in Dean Pees’ defense. Terrell has only been targeted 28 times this year, allowing a total of 13 receptions for 74 yards… that is elite; he’s been the third-highest graded corner according to PFF. Among cornerbacks with at least 20 targets, Terrell ranks eighth in passer rating allowed when targeted — 54.6.
Terrell is on the verge of becoming a household name; it is only a matter of time. The national recognition will eventually come as his continues his excellent play. This new Falcons regime didn’t draft him, but Terry Fontenot must be pleased with Terrell’s progress. Not only does he remain competitive against any wide receiver in any situation, but Terrell is also aggressive and reliable when defending the run — genuinely becoming one of the better corners in this league.
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