Atlanta Falcons biggest concern headed into the season is the secondary

A glass-half-full approach would believe there is simply no way the Atlanta Falcons secondary could be as inept as they were last season. Despite heading into the season without a proven player in the secondary Atlanta has a chance to show growth.

To improve all this team needs to do is be in the right place at the right time consistently. If you are at all familiar with defensive schemes it didn’t take more than a game to know Atlanta players consistently blew assignments last season.

Improvement is very possible despite the unit’s relative inexperience. Perhaps the new defensive scheme is exactly what this group needed a group that should be very coachable based on their combined lack of experience.

If the Atlanta Falcons secondary is consistently average Atlanta will be in the wildcard hunt

For Atlanta to win games they will not be counting on this secondary to make plays simply to not to be the worst in the league. Despite having a historically bad secondary last season Atlanta was consistently in one-score games, games with a better coach could have easily swung Atlanta’s way.

Whether or not Arthur Smith is that coach remains to be seen, but it is hard to see him being worse than former Head Coach Dan Quinn in late close game situations.

Isaiah Oliver and A.J. Terrell will be Atlanta’s featured corners with Duron Harmon and Erik Harris getting the chance to start at safety.

Of the group, Terrell is the most proven and has the biggest upside which speaks to the talent level of the group considering A.J. is only entering his second year.  Atlanta has a reason for optimism when it comes to Terrell, however, Oliver has consistently struggled and is going to have to show major growth not to lose his job this season.

If Atlanta comes out of the gate strong they will look to add a talented veteran to this young group. A group that cannot be worse than the dumpster fire Atlanta trotted out defensively last season.

One potential fit for Atlanta could be veteran corner Richard Sherman who remains a free agent. If Sherman is ready to play this season there isn’t a team who would feature him more than the Falcons.

Regardless of whom they choose to add, Atlanta needs to continue to work on their secondary throughout the season.  A group that will be in need of veteran additions.