While addressing the media, Atlanta Falcons secondary coach Justin Hood told ESPN's Marc Raimondi this is the best fourth-year safety DeMarcco Hellams has looked to him in his three years since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 Draft out of Alabama.
What has gotten Hellams to this point? What has changed for the better? Where does he fit as far as his role on the team, having made the initial 53-man roster?
Justin Hood says this is the best S DeMarcco Hellams has looked in his three years with him. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 26, 2026
Rounding out the final year of his rookie deal, Hellams has played in 25 games (4 starts) for the Falcons, including his 16 tackles of contributions as a hard-hitter on special teams. 1 of 3 Falcons safeties to make the 2025 53-man cut down day, along with starters Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts, Hellams was not sweating making this team, nor should he have.
DeMarcco Hellams' stock pointing up is showing signs of a breakout year
Is Justin Hood’s endorsement a taste of positive foreshadowing for more opportunities on the grass defensively beyond his 34 tackles the last three seasons? For starters, a large part for improvement in practice and on preseason film has been Hellams being more disciplined, versus his fan-favorite calling card: knocking the hell out of opponents.
You’d have to have put that tape out there to get the moniker of “Hit Man (Hellams).” In terms of mass volume of defensive production versus efficient success in limited rotational snaps, it can be found in his 54 games under Nick Saban collegiately and his high school background playing for the elite DeMatha Catholic High School. 261 tackles, 17 PBUs, 7.5 TFLs, 4 INT, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR aren’t even the best part of his “elevator pitch,” that’s leading the entire Crimson Tide defense in tackles surrounded by talent in the front seven as a senior playing at the third level of the defense.
One of 13 defensive backs that survived roster cuts, Hellams luckily took it even further, making it past the Monday roster updates. The same can’t be said for safety Jammie Robinson and defensive back Natrone Brooks (cross-trained at multiple spots, including the safety room).
The key here for Hellams is that special teams snaps previously projected for those two are now shoveled on his plate. Were the Falcons to experience an injury to Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III or young superstar Xavier Watts (knocks on wood), Hellams is the next man up, having taken first-team reps over new acquisition Sydney Brown while Bates nursed a back injury.
Taking Justin Hood's words of endorsement as truth, as long as he stays healthy, this should be the best season yet from DeMarcco Hellams.
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