We continue our breakdown of the Atlanta Falcons roster with a look at the cornerbacks:
CORNERBACK
THE CAST: Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Dezmen Southward, Phillip Adams, Ricardo Allen, Jordan Mabin.
2015 CAP NUMBERS: Trufant ($2,227,117), Alford ($927,654), Southward ($737,373), Adams ($585,000), Mabin ($510,000), Allen ($435,000)
THE BREAKDOWN: Maybe Trufant isn't the biggest corner out there but he's certainly one of the better talents in the league and is sure to be a Pro Bowl selection one day. Trufant got plenty of practice shadowing top receivers last season. He also worked to improve his hands after dropping a few interceptions as a rookie. Not to mention he has plenty of versatility in case he needs to move down into the slot to cover. Alford might be the primary candidate, however, for that nickelback role since the Falcons really don't have a proven third corner right now. Alford, coming off a season-ending broken wrist, has to be better with his discipline and avoid penalties. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound Southward will be someone to watch if he indeed makes the transition from free safety. He also is recovering from a wrist injury but has been working on his press coverage technique. Southward has to show he can make plays on the ball. Adams, Allen and Maybin will have to show up on special teams during the preseason.
THE DRAFT: Falcons coach Dan Quinn said drafting a cornerback is a "priority" and he likes big corners with length and speed. There is an obvious void at the position as the team elected not to re-sign Robert McClain (Patriots) and Josh Wilson (Lions). Some of the big corners in the draft include UConn's Byron Jones (6-1, 199), Utah's Eric Rowe (6-1, 205) and LSU's Jalen Collins (6-1, 203), to name a few. Certainly Quinn would like to find the next Richard Sherman, who was a fifth-round draft pick of the Seahawks in 2011.
SUNDAY: Safeties
