FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — A.J. Terrell is making waves as he enjoys what many would call the best season of his career as the Atlanta Falcons' cornerback. Known for his exceptional coverage skills, Terrell's performance has solidified his status as one of the top defenders in the NFL.
“He’s just ‘that guy,’” remarked Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. His succinct endorsement speaks volumes about Terrell’s capabilities as he has been targeted at one of the lowest rates league-wide this season. “We’re able to put him wherever we want, and we know the quarterbacks have to be aware if they’re going to throw his way,” Lake added. “He’s been playing lock-down corner, and that's why you haven't heard his name very much.”
Such is the nature of the cornerback position: frequently thankless, and when players aren’t mentioned, it typically signals they’re executing their roles effectively. This holds true for Terrell, who has been targeted on just 12% of his coverage snaps, ranking him among the lowest—specifically, third-lowest—among cornerbacks with at least 300 coverage plays.
Next Gen Stats reveals more about his impressive ability on the field: Terrell has played zone coverage on 78.1% of his snaps, yet manages to maintain a remarkably low average separation of just 2.4 yards. That's tied for the ninth-lowest in the NFL, showing just how closely he can seem to shadow his opponents.
His ability to pressure quarterbacks is also noteworthy, with data indicating he has forced tight-window throws on 27.6% of his targets. This statistic reflects the level of difficulty opposing quarterbacks face when targeting receivers covered by Terrell. Even when catch completions occur, he’s often right there, making significant contributions to tackle attempts or plays on the ball.
Interestingly, of the receptions he’s allowed, which total 38, Terrell has afforded only 82 yards after the catch. This gives him one of the lowest averages for yards after the catch per reception of 2.2, again ranking among the best cornerbacks this season.
While the Falcons predominantly run zone coverage, Lake indicates Terrell is quite versatile, capable of executing man coverage effectively as well. “If there’s someone we need to target away from our main player, we can certainly include him. A.J. can track and latch on to the No. 1 wideout,” Lake noted. “We’re thankful to have him on our list of elite players.”
Further data reveals Terrell has only faced 15 targets against him during his 106 snaps of man coverage. Remarkably, he has forced tight-window throws on 53.3% of those plays, ranking fifth-highest among cornerbacks. Notably, he has not permitted any open targets against him and allowed only 7 yards after the catch during those man coverage situations.
Since the Falcons' Week 12 bye, Terrell’s numbers have only gotten stronger. He has allowed just five receptions for 46 yards on 10 targets with a passer rating against him of 62.9. His performance mirrors his All-Pro season from 2021, as he leads cornerbacks with -1.08 EPA/target and has generated 64.7% coverage success. With only 8.5% of snaps being targets against him, it speaks volumes about his effectiveness.
These stats align closely with the Falcons' overall defensive improvement. Before Week 12, Atlanta ranked poorly, allowing 357.1 total yards per game and 229.9 passing yards, occupying the 25th and 26th spots league-wide. Post bye, those numbers have improved dramatically, as the Falcons now rank second (275.8 yards per game), 11th against the pass (205.5 yards), and fifth for points allowed (18.8 points per game).
For the Falcons to keep this momentum as the season heads toward the playoff chase, it’s clear A.J. Terrell must remain 'that guy,' as aptly put by Lake. His sticky coverage, tackling prowess, and overall defensive acumen could be the key to Atlanta's sustained success and possible playoff bid.
