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Atlanta Falcons: Grading the past four first-round draft picks

By Freddie Boston

Aug 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) walks through the tunnel before their game against the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) walks through the tunnel before their game against the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) walks through the tunnel before their game against the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) walks through the tunnel before their game against the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

2013: Desmond Trufant

Atlanta didn’t own a first-round pick in 2012 after giving it up in the Julio Jones trade, so we move onto 2013 when the Falcons picked at No. 22. With this selection, they took cornerback Desmond Trufant out of Washington.

Three years later, Trufant is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Much like the respect Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis receive from opposing quarterbacks, Trufant is rarely thrown at. When this happens, it effectively cuts the field in half and limits the space the ball can be thrown into.

Over three seasons, Trufant has defended 44 passes and made six interceptions. In 2015, he was ranked 13th among 111 graded cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. His 81.2 grade was good only for the ‘starter’ category, which seems harsh, but it’s still a strong ranking in a group filled with talent.

Still a young player, Trufant will keep getting better as he enters the prime of his career. At just 25-years-old, there’s a number of great years ahead as the leader of the secondary. If the Falcons can build the pass rush and linebacking corps, the defense will be ready to compete.

Grade: A

Next: 2014

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