Atlanta Falcons’ Trufant is headed toward a big 2019
Atlanta Falcons Desmond Trufant was once considered a top five corner in the NFL and then his 2016 injury happen. Is “Tru” finally on his way back to being among the elite?
Desmond Trufant was a rising star. He was so good that the Atlanta Falcons decided to make him one of the highest paid corners in April of 2017 even though he missed seven games and all the 2016 post season.
Most thought the contract meant that Trufant had shown the Falcons that his pectoral injury was healthy, and he would be ready for 2017. While he played in 15 games that season, he was not the same corner. Tru looked confused and out of place most of the time; often getting turned in ways only late round rookies thrown into action do.
In 2018, Trufant took a major step forward. According to Pro Football Focus, Trufant was the top ranked corner in the NFC South beating out the Saints holding specialist Marshon Lattimore. Trufant allowed less completions, less yards, less touchdowns, had twice as many pass breakups and only two less interceptions. If Trufant would learn how to catch, he would have led the league in that category.
The most overlooked and unappreciated area of Trufant’s game, is he is the best tackling corner in the National Football League. According to PFF, Trufant had the highest tackling percentage at 97.5 percent. Fans assume every player in the NFL can hit and tackle and if you spend enough time watching football on Sunday’s, you know that just is not true.
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If the Falcons are going to take the huge leap forward in 2019 and become the top five defense that they themselves expect, Desmond Trufant is going to be a huge factor in the return to the top.