Falcons first-round pick A.J. Terrell, who was taken 16th overall on Thursday, played 1,827 snaps for Clemson over three seasons.
Much like former cornerback Desmond Trufant, who was taken 22nd overall back in 2013, he will be expected to start immediately.
Former Falcons coach Mike Smith and secondary coach Tim Lewis got Trufant and second-round pick Robert Alford ready to play. Trufant started all 16 games, while Alford ended up starting four games while playing in all 16.
Coach Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and new defensive backs coach Joe Whitt will have to get A.J. Terrell up to speed quickly. The old regime had wide receiver Roddy White and Julio Jones to get the young corners ready.
Jones and Calvin Ridley can take turns on Terrell in practice.
With Terrell taking over for Trufant at left cornerback, the Falcons keep Kendall Sheffield at nickel and Isaiah Oliver on the right side. The dependable Blidi Wreh-Wilson can back all of them up.
If Oliver continues his uneven play, the Falcons think highly of Sheffield.
Veteran Josh Hawkins was signed as a free-agent to help provide depth and insurance.
The Falcons also have cornerbacks Jordan Miller, C.J. Reavis and Chris Cooper.
Here’s a look at the Falcons’ updated depth chart:
OFFENSE
WR 11 Julio Jones, 13 Christian Blake, 19 Devin Gray, 80 Laquon Treadwell
LT 70 Jake Matthews, 75 John Wetzel
LG 73 Matt Gono, 77 James Carpenter, 64 Sean Harlow
C 51 Alex Mack, 65 Justin McCray, 64 Sean Harlow
RG 63 Chris Lindstrom, 68 Jamon Brown, 65 Justin McCray
RT 76 Kaleb McGary
TE 81 Hayden Hurst, 86 Khari Lee 87 Jaeden Graham, 85 Carson Meier
WR 18 Calvin Ridley, 83 Russell Gage, 17 Olamide Zaccheaus, 15 Brandon Powell
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 8 Matt Schaub, 6 Kurt Benkert, 16 Danny Etling
RB 21 Todd Gurley, 25 Ito Smith, 30 Qadree Ollison, 23 Brian Hill, 42 Craig Reynolds
FB 40 Keith Smith
DEFENSE
DE 56 Dante Fowler 53 Austin Larkin
DT 97 Grady Jarrett, 50 John Cominsky
DT 96 Tyeler Davison, 94 Deadrin Senat
DE 93 Allen Bailey, 55 Steven Means
DE 98 Takk McKinley 91 Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
LB 54 Foyesade Oluokun, 46 Edmond Robinson, 52 Ahmad Thomas
LB 45 Deion Jones, 55 LaRoy Reynolds
RCB 26 Isaiah Oliver, 29 Josh Hawkins, 39 C.J. Reavis,
LCB 24 A.J. Terrell, 33 Blidi Wreh-Wilson, 28 Jordan Miller
NCB 20 Kendall Sheffield, 34 Chris Cooper
SS 37 Ricardo Allen, 22 Keanu Neal, 35 Jamal Carter
FS 27 Damontae Kazee, 37 Ricardo Allen, 41 Sharrod Neasman
SPECIALISTS
K 7 Younghoe Koo
KO 7 Younghoe Koo
P 9 Ryan Allen, 9 Sam Irwin-Hill
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 9 Ryan Allen
KOR 15 Brando Powell, 17 Olamide Zaccheaus
PR 15 Brandon Powell, 17 Olamide Zaccheaus
AJC’s 2020 POSITION BY POSITION DRAFT SERIES
Quarterbacks: Joe Burrow leads class | Top 10
Running backs: Cam Akers' life lesson | Top 10
Tight ends: Harrison Bryant top prospect | Top 10
Guards/Centers: Solomon Kindley a late-rounder | Top 10
Offensive tackles: Austin Jackson's life lesson | Top 10
Wide receivers: Jeudy or Lamb | Top 10
Defensive tackles: Brown, Kinlaw stand out | Top 10
Defensive ends: A 'generational' talent | Top 10
Linebackers: Simmons a position-less LB | Top 10
Safeties: Loaded with Georgia talent | Top 10
Special teams: Georgia's kick-centered | Return with flash | Top 10
Cornerbacks: Jeff Okudah a lockdown CB | Top 10
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