For as low as expectations may be for the Atlanta Falcons coming into the new season, the same cannot be said about its star cornerback AJ Terrell. The third-year corner enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, posting league-leading metrics according to Next Gen Stats. He was rated as the number one coverage player by NFL.com.
Harry Douglas joined the Morning Show to discuss AJ Terrell's rise to stardom and how bright his future is looking to be.
"I love everything about AJ Terrell," Douglas said. "I think he can play man coverage and I think he can play zone coverage. He does a tremendous job."
Harry Douglas has been able to watch the star cornerback first-hand as a member of the Falcons coaching staff as a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellow. He identified what he's seen from the reigning second-team All-Pro on the field.
"Seeing him one-on-one going against Drake (London), going against Kyle Pitts, he's a good one," Douglas said. "I think he's underrated and doesn't get the credit he deserves in this league.
AJ Terrell was not always expected to be as dominant as he has been. When he was drafted 16th overall in 2020, there were a number of very vocal critics because of what happened in the National Championship game that he played in. Over the last two seasons, Terrell has done nothing but turn those critics into fans.
But he still has another level that he can unlock, according to Douglas.
"You ask the best cover corner to travel everywhere with the opponent's best receiver," Douglas said. "I know that AJ Terrell done that, not much of it, but a tiny bit throughout his career. I think he will grow to be that guy."
He specially mentioned that this is the job that you asked the Darrelle Revis and Stephon Gillmore-level of the league to do. If he can unlock that level, and Douglas thinks he can, then the Falcons will boast one of the best secondaries in the NFL.