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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Xavier Watts #31 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates an interception with Jessie Bates III #3 during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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Building a well-rounded secondary without any weaknesses is one of the most difficult challenges in roster construction. It takes sharp drafting, shrewd signings, and emphasis on assembling capable depth. No matter how star-studded the unit may look on paper, there must be backups on the roster who are ready to step in when necessary. That was one of the key components behind the success of the last well-rounded Falcons’ secondary.
As was the case for most of Atlanta’s most recent successes, 2017 was the last time they had an ultra-talented group of defensive backs. Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen, Robert Alford, and Brian Poole were all at their peaks. Desmond Trufant returned to playing at a high level after suffering a season-ending pectoral injury in 2016. Damontae Kazee, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, and C.J. Goodwin were all quality contributors when called upon. It was a solidified group that led to Dan Quinn having his best defense in Atlanta.
Despite Jessie Bates’ stellar play and A.J. Terrell firmly established as one of the league’s better corners, the secondary has been lacking in certain areas over most of the past decade. A player like Richie Grant or Jeff Okudah would be too much of a liability for the overall unit to ascend. All it takes is one player for opponents to target and exploit to tear a unit apart.
The Falcons’ secondary currently looks well-equipped to be a formidable unit with no glaring concerns. In fact, they possess the Pro Bowl-caliber talent and young ballhawks to far surpass the strong group from 2017. As the team prepares for the season, there should be increased anticipation for a defense that finished tied for sixth in interceptions in 2025.
Franchise cornerstones with an emerging star
Bates and Terrell alone immediately provide a strong infrastructure with their consistency and leadership. Although the three-time second-team All-Pro got off to a slow start last season, Bates played like the premier safety in the second half of the year. His high football intelligence, tremendous instincts, and coverage range generate big plays while preventing opposing explosive plays over the course of games. Terrell is coming off arguably his best year since his breakout 2021 season, playing strong press coverage and staying composed when battling bigger receivers not named Mike Evans.
What sets the secondary apart as a unit with the potential to become elite begins with Xavier Watts. The 2025 third-round pick emerged as a genuine difference-maker with his playmaking ability, reliable open-field tackling, and consistency in taking the right angles when closing on the ball.
The overall command he plays with was reminiscent of a four-year player entering his prime. From his fantastic debut against the Buccaneers to his memorable performance in an upset win over the Rams, Watts consistently put himself in position to make plays all over the field.
Divine Deablo believes Bates and Watts are the best safety duo in the league. That could be the case if the former All-American from Notre Dame continues on this trajectory. As talented as the secondary was in 2017, they severely fell short in one crucial area. They only produced eight interceptions that season.
Although Neal slightly made up for it with three forced fumbles with his punishing style of play, the inability to force turnovers cost the defense in close games where Steve Sarkisian’s offense sputtered. Bates and Watts combined for eight interceptions last season alone. To make things even more tantalizing, they aren’t the only ballhawks on a defense that overwhelmed the Bills and Rams in primetime victories.
New corners
How Avieon Terrell and Billy Bowman develop will ultimately decide if the secondary can be the all-around special unit it has the potential to be. Besides it being an incredibly heartwarming moment, the decision to select Terrell in the second round was a wise move. Mike Hughes may begin the season as a starter, but there are clear limitations in his skill set as an outside corner. Terrell possesses the physical intangibles and zone coverage acumen to thrive at the pro level immediately.
He was around the ball a lot at Clemson. The first-team All-ACC cornerback produced 25 pass breakups and eight forced fumbles during his three years there. While his older brother A.J. rarely forces turnovers, Avieon can bring a new dimension to a secondary with players who know how to get the ball. The same can be said for Billy Bomwan Jr., who showed impressive flashes before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. The versatile defensive back was one of the standout players in the Falcons’ impressive road win over the Vikings.
His knack for recognizing play designs and closing in on the ball in a flash makes him someone who can grow into being a disruptive, dynamic player. While his overall coverage skills in the slot remain a work in progress, Bowman Jr. possesses the capabilities to become a starter with his ultra-aggressive, tone-setting style of play.
To have that type of player in the nickel is something the Falcons have lacked since Poole played there. It’s yet to be determined whether Bowman Jr. will be ready to start the season, but The Falcoholic’s own Kevin Knight reported he has been working on the rehab field.
Every well-rounded secondary needs a young nucleus of players who could develop into either Pro Bowl-caliber players or dependable starters. Before injuries derailed his career, Neal had all the makings of being a top-tier safety. Allen and Poole became dependable starters for three seasons. Watts, Bowman Jr., and Avieon Terrell have the talent to lead the defense with their unique attributes, alongside Bates and A.J. Terrell.
Greater Pressure
Following Jalon Walker’s season-ending injury, the secondary will have an even greater onus on them to anchor the defense. Jeff Ulbrich will have his work cut out for him up front, particularly in the first half of the season with James Pearce Jr. likely to serve a lengthy suspension. That will put the secondary at the forefront not only of staying organized on the back end but also of being ready to shoot into gaps and be disruptive.
Bates, Watts, and Bowman Jr. were all utilized as blitzers when Ulbrich decided to bring extra pressure. The beloved defensive coordinator’s knack for overloading the strong side led to several sacks on third down last season. While each defensive back will need to raise their cover skills to overcome the devastating loss of Walker, they must be ready to explode to force opposing quarterbacks into uncomfortable decisions.
As deflating as it is to lose Walker for the season, expectations should be high for a secondary featuring established stars and emerging prolific talent. They are the best hope to keep a defense faced with major uncertainty up front stabilized. They are the best-equipped group on the roster to turn into a premier unit that opposing offenses will be wary of.
Many teams will have to cope with glaring issues during the season. The Falcons’ secondary has all the capabilities to make weekly game-changing plays and drive the team to exceed expectations this season.
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