Atlanta Falcons: What Jalen Collins Means For The Secondary

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Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) stretches out but is unable to hold onto the ball as LSU Tigers cornerback Jalen Collins (32) defends during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons’ plan for Jalen Collins

As I stated earlier, Quinn needs two big, athletic, and physical corners that are capable of playing press-man coverage in order to make his Cover-3 scheme work. The Falcons likely won’t be playing the same Cover-3 scheme that Seattle runs due to the differences in personnel, but we can imagine Quinn will build towards a similar style of defense.

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Desmond Trufant, despite being a little on the small side for Quinn’s ideal CB, will be fine in this scheme. He will continue to be the Falcons’ #1 CB and will likely get matched up on the opposing team’s top WR on most plays. So don’t worry that Collins is here to replace Trufant. In fact, he’s here to help him form what could be among the best CBs tandems in the NFL.

But what about the rest of the Falcons’ secondary? Let’s take a look at who Atlanta currently has on the roster:

CB: Phillip Adams, Robert Alford, Ricardo Allen, Jalen Collins (R), Desmond Trufant, Akeem King (R)

FS: Charles Godfrey, Dezmen Southward

SS: Sean Baker, Kemal Ishmael, William Moore

The Falcons have some new blood at CB, and they could have the makings of a potentially elite group. FS, however, remains painfully thin. SS is pretty well settled, with William Moore a Pro Bowl player and Kemal Ishmael a starting-caliber backup. But what does the addition of Jalen Collins really do to this group?

For starters, it allows Robert Alford to transition to the slot. Alford was always a little small to be an outside CB in the NFL at 5’10, 186, but he’s an athletic speedster (4.3-speed) that could thrive against the shiftier, faster slot receivers in the NFL. Plus, his ballhawking nature and tendency to take risks would be more acceptable on the inside, where he’ll have support behind him.

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Jaylen Walton (6) reaches to catch a pass beside LSU Tigers cornerback Jalen Collins (32) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

It also let’s the Falcons keep Dezmen Southward at his more natural FS position, where the depth is already questionable. Southward is another athletic marvel, with great size (6’2, 210) and insane speed (4.38). If you watched any of his tape from last season, you know that Southward can fly around the field. He could be a great center-fielder with improved technique and instincts.

Jalen Collins fits best at the outside CB slot across from Trufant, where he’ll go up against a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 receiver. He can also match up against some of the bigger receivers in the NFL that Trufant might struggle with. Collins’ technique needs refinement, but he’s got the prototype frame that Quinn is looking for in his outside CBs.

If the Falcons make all these moves, they could begin the season with a starting secondary that looks something like this:

CB1: Desmond Trufant
CB2: Jalen Collins
Nickel CB: Robert Alford

SS: William Moore
FS: Dezmen Southward
Big Nickel S: Kemal Ishmael

That unit has the makings of a Top-5 secondary, particularly in a year or two as Southward and Collins continue to develop. It allows each of them to play to their strengths and should help the Falcons’ pass rush find time to get to the QB.

Next: Long-term potential

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