Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Collins gives Falcons’ secondary options

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 04: Jalen Collins #32 of the Atlanta Falcons walks on the turf during the Super Bowl LI team walk through at NRG Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 04: Jalen Collins #32 of the Atlanta Falcons walks on the turf during the Super Bowl LI team walk through at NRG Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
By
June 20, 2017

Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins, who was forced to start down the stretch last season, quietly went about his offseason.

With the return of starting left cornerback Desmond Trufant, the Falcons now have some quality depth at the position.

“That’s the cool part,” Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel said. “Now you have a guy who can play dime. He can play outside. He has more value to the team.”

Collins slid down the depth chart after he was suspended for the first four games of last season. The former second-round pick from LSU stayed ready until Trufant suffered a torn pectoral injury and was placed on injured reserve.

Collins started the final six games of the regular season and three playoff games. He played 428 defensive snaps (38.3 percent) during the regular season. He compiled 48 tackles, including 10 in the Super Bowl, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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