Next-gen stats show Falcons have best CB in NFL
November 28, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell (24) breaks up a pass to Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (18) in the second half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
Why the Atlanta Falcons will dominate the NFC South in the near future
Atlanta Falcons fans have apparently been the only ones to realize the truth that AJ Terrell is the best cornerback in the NFL. Some fans have no idea who he is despite the fact that he is unquestionably among the elite in his position.
Terrell was nothing short of sensational in what was only his second season in the league. He’s young and still learning all the ins and outs of being a cornerback in the NFL. The sky is the limit for the young Falcons star and he could finally get the recognition he deserves.
Next Gen Stats has the Falcons superstar as the league’s best CB
The Atlanta Falcons may not be the best team yet, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have one of the best players in the NFL.
NFL.com has put together an article that shows Next Gen Stats’ top cover player rankings in 2021.
AJ Terrell topped the list, making him the best cover player in the world and here’s what his NGS stats were and what the writer, Nick Shook, had to say about him:
- Allowable catch rate lower than expected: -14.6%
- Authorized passer rating: 49.9
- Percentage of narrow window: 30.1%
- Average separation: 2.7 meters
- Target rate: 14.8%
- Target expected points added: -29.4 (NFL best)
Expectations for the Falcons may not be high in 2022, but we should all make it a point to watch Terrell closely this season. As Atlanta has fought to be a competitive team in 2021, Terrell has blossomed significantly. He posted league-leading marks in a number of categories, including completion percentage allowed (41.1%) and yards allowed per target (4.1). Terrell played at the elite level in only his second professional season, with a coverage success rate (the percentage of targets that result in a successful play for defense) of 68.5% (the best among qualifiers). He has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.
These are advanced stats which are exactly what Next Gen Stats is known for.
Many know that there is more to football than a player’s stats, and NGS is one of the most reliable and advanced stat trackers. If they say AJ Terrell is the best, then he should be considered the best.
The Falcons have a defensive player to build around, and the scary thing about him is that he’s just getting started in the NFL.