The Atlanta Falcons MUST re-sign Isaiah Oliver after strong finish

The Atlanta Falcons drafted Isaiah Oliver in the second round of the 2018 draft. Their intention was for him to become one of their starting outside cornerbacks, but it just never worked out for him. It seemed like he was going to be yet another bust, but interim head coach Raheem Morris tried him at slot corner in 2020. It quickly became evident that he had potential as an inside CB.

When the new coaching staff took over in 2021, they kept him in the slot. For the first two and a half weeks, he was playing great until he sustained a season-ending injury. The position was never the same that season as it became a revolving door between a couple of rookies.

This past offseason, the Falcons signed him to a one-year deal. He wasn’t healthy to start the season but once he returned and got his feet back under him, he turned into a star.

The Atlanta Falcons must give Isaiah Oliver a competitive offer this offseason

The final couple weeks that Isaiah Oliver had as the Atlanta Falcons’ primary corner were phenomenal. It finally seemed like he had recovered from his injury and it couldn’t have come at a better time for him.

The Falcons cannot afford to let him walk because he will go on to flourish with a new team. He is finally healthy and was the team’s best player in their final two games, so it is time to offer him another contract—whether that is another one-year deal or a multi-year deal, it doesn’t matter, just bring him back!

Oliver was playing at a speed that we haven’t ever seen out of him. He looked like a Pro Bowl corner with the size to shed blocks and blow up the ball carrier. And that is so valuable to have in the slot.

Also Read: One free agent for the Falcons to sign at each defensive position.

In the final two games of the season, Isaiah Oliver had 11 tackles, four pass breakups, and allowed only six catches on 12 targets for a total of 47 yards and zero touchdowns. Pro Football Focus also has a stat called ‘stops’ which are defined as “tackles that constitute a failure for the offense,” and Oliver had five of those against the Arizona Cardinals! Not to mention, he ended the season as the highest-graded defender for the Falcons.

Isaiah Oliver simply flipped a switch and became one of the best players in weeks 17 and 18 and pushed himself into being a priority free agent for the Atlanta Falcons.