Sheffield can make an impact right now for Atlanta Falcons
By Matt Siegman
With the 111th pick in the NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected CB Kendall Sheffield with the 111th overall selection. Sheffield was regarded as one of the fastest corners in college football.
He missed the 2018 season due to injury but is still has elite speed. Sheffield impressed many on the first day of Atlanta Falcons training camp by intercepting a pass in practice.
Currently the Atlanta Falcons are thin in the secondary and one injury could be a disaster for the defense. However, in the event someone does get injured, Sheffield can make an impact right away. Given his speed and athleticism Sheffield can play outside corner or the nickel.
Yesterda, Atlanta Falcons SS JJ Wilcox tore his ACL and will miss the entire 2019 season. In the event Keanu Neal went down again Wilcox would take his place. After Wilcox the next man up at SS is Damontae Kazee who is the projected starting nickel.
Kazee is another important piece to this defense and will move to either safety spot if Ricardo Allen or Keanu Neal get injured. If that happens Sheffield will play in the nickel. Given his speed he should have no trouble covering the shifty slot wide receivers. Sheffield might even surprise some QBs in the nickel with his speed picking off a few passes.
The Atlanta Falcons projected starting corners are Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver. Contrary to popular belief Trufant has been a solid corner for the Falcons and is the clear-cut best corner on the team. This will be Oliver’s first season starting in the NFL and will hopefully have a breakout season.
If Trufant or Oliver go down Sheffield should be next man up. The main issue with Sheffield is being a rookie and not having the awareness most NFL veterans have. With his speed he should be able to play at a high level covering some of the receivers in today’s NFL.
Next. Falcons sign former Chiefs’ defensive end Allen Bailey. dark
The NFL season is long and players get injured left and right. It is unlikely every single starter in the secondary will play every snap in every game. Sheffield will see the field some this season and he can make a huge impact for this defense.