A.J. Terrell
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A.J. Terrell #24 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after stopping Devontae Booker #23 of the Las Vegas Raiders short of the end zone on November 29, 2020.
AJ Terrell has quickly established himself as one of the premier young cornerbacks in the National Football League. Since being drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, Terrell has demonstrated a rare combination of athleticism, intelligence, and competitiveness that has made him a cornerstone of Atlanta’s defense.
Terrell was rewarded with a four-year contract extension worth $81 million last year. In an article by Terrin Waack last year, general manager Terry Fontenot discussed how important it was to lock down Terrell for the next few seasons.
“We are happy to be in the position to provide this extension for A.J., who is certainly well deserving of it,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. “A homegrown player, he embodies the characteristics and traits we want as a Falcon. He leads by example with his work ethic, and as a great teammate, he does anything he can to help this team win continuously. We appreciate the support of our owner, Arthur Blank, for providing the resources to reward players who operate the right way.”
Terrell Excels in Man Coverage
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s shift toward more man-to-man coverage suits Terrell’s skill set. As Atlanta seeks to build around its secondary, Terrell will likely continue shadowing top receivers week in and week out.
What separates Terrell from many of his peers is his disciplined technique and sharp instincts. He excels in man coverage but is equally capable in zone schemes. His footwork, body control, and timing allow him to stick with elite receivers and make plays on the ball without drawing penalties. He also brings a physical edge to the position, never shying away from contact and often stepping up in run support.
He has the respect of players around the league such as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield who talks about a great play AJ made on the ball in a game last season.
“The one down in the red zone, A.J. Terrell just truly falling off of his man in a match coverage set that – obviously, you look at it, he’s not supposed to do that — but he made a hell of a play,” Mayfield said. “That’s one of those things that I don’t have much [to say] besides he made a hell of a play.”
Terrell Has Always Been A Pro
Terrell’s transition to the professional level was swift and impressive. In his rookie season, he faced some early challenges adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses, but he showed resilience and steady improvement. By his second year, he had blossomed into one of the league’s top shutdown corners, consistently limiting opposing receivers and making quarterbacks think twice before throwing in his direction.
“What’s cool about A.J. is I remember the first day that he got here several years ago, he was one of the first people I saw in the building, and he was constantly in the building and he’s still like that,” Fontenot said in March at the Annual League Meeting. “The worker, the consummate pro that he is, that’s what you get excited about because that’s a hard position. … The way that he works, he’s just constantly growing, and that’s important.”
As the Falcons continue to rebuild and shape their identity, AJ Terrell stands as one of their most valuable assets. Still in the early stages of his career, his ceiling remains incredibly high. If he continues on his current trajectory, he could solidify his place among the elite cornerbacks of his generation and become a franchise player for years to come.