When you pull back the curtain, there weren't many winners from the Atlanta Falcons' preseason opener. The 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos saw everything that could've possibly gone wrong go awry on Friday night-- although there were a few players who did manage to help their roster odds.
Despite the circumstances, one rookie managed to make a fantastic impression. Undrafted cornerback Malcolm DeWalt IV isn't a player who has become a household name for Falcons fans this summer, but the preseason opener will force people to remember his name as he pushes for a roster spot.
DeWalt made a really nice interception of Broncos' quarterback Sam Ehlinger, but it was later determined that his feet were out of bounds. And while the pass was underthrown, he made Ehlinger regret resting him downfield, as he turned and found the ball and tracked it to read the play perfectly.
Malcolm DeWalt IV helped his odds of making the Atlanta Falcons' roster in preseason Week 1
The play didn't count, but it helped prove that Malcolm DeWalt has legit untapped potential as a cover corner, and those ball skills were impressive. But he also looked good as a gunner on special teams, which very well may help him push for a roster spot if his strong start to the preseason continues.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound corner logged 58 total tackles and eight pass breakups in his final season of college, but was at a disadvantage of playing for a smaller school. Playing for a five-win MAC school doesn't exactly have the scouts salivating compared to guys playing at Georgia or Alabama.
The 24-year-old also recorded four tackles (all solo), as only Josh Woods and Sydney Brown had more tackles than him on the game, but he did tie with Cobee Bryant, Christian Harris, Marlon Tuipolotu, Jammie Robinson, and DeMarcco Hellams in tackles--but only Bryant had four solo too.
The Akron product also had a pass breakup, so he'll certainly push to make waves within the Dirty Birds' cornerback rotation. His main competition for a roster spot will be Bryant, who was flagged multiple times, C.J. Henderson, and Clark Phillips III, so this isn't a completely hopeless fight.
That doesn't mean it won't be an uphill battle though. The Falcons are certainly going to roster A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, and second-round rookie Avieon Terrell, and then Darnay Holmes should push for a roster spot in addition to that trio--plus Billy Bowman Jr. once he returns from his Achilles injury.
Malcolm DeWalt IV's strong debut showed potential of a player that deserves a roster spot with the Falcons, but considering how deep the cornerback room is, the UDFA has a lot on the line in the next two preseason games.
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