With Robert Alford sliding inside to nickel, the Falcons have a dilemma at right cornerback to start the season because of Jalen Collins’ four-game suspension for using performing enhancing drugs.
During the team’s mandatory minicamp, which is set to start on Tuesday, the Falcons must find out if Akeem King, a converted safety and seventh-round pick in 2015, is ready for action.
Alford could actually start at right cornerback in the base until Collins is ready. Then slide inside in the nickel while King comes in at right cornerback.
The Falcons, who looked at veterans cornerbacks Leon Hall and Brandon Boykin over the offseason, must decide if King is a viable option.
King, who played in five games as a reserve, had one tackle and one pass breakup over 15 snaps last season, is having a strong offseason.
“He’s now starting to come into his own,” secondary/senior assistant coach Marquand Manuel said. “He was already 6-1. Already ran fast. Now, the content of how he (goes) out there to perform is really the ultimate goal of what we are really starting to see.”
Manuel was asked if King could take over with Collins out for the first four games?
“Right now, I couldn’t answer that,” Manuel said.
