Fantasy Impact: Atlanta Falcons select Desmond Trufant

The Atlanta Falcons have drafted Desmond Trufant with the 22^nd overall pick. Trufant is set to join brothers, and fellow cornerbacks, Marcus and Isaiah in the NFL after spending four years at Washington. Despite posting respectable numbers in every season, it wasn’t until his strong showing at the Senior Bowl and combine that Trufant’s stock really started to rise. With a blazing fast 4.38 40 yard dash, it’s no surprise that Trufant is an excellent cover corner. His six career interceptions and 38 passes defended underscore his coverage skills and ability to make plays. His mechanical foundation is as strong as they come, and while he lacks the strength to battle with tight ends, his height and leaping ability will allow him to come inside and cover them as well.

It’s this lack of strength and physicality that is one of the biggest knocks on Trufant. He rarely played in press coverage, and could be abused by stronger, more physical receivers that like to battle off the line and down the field. He also lacks the ability to help out against the run, as he struggles to get off of blocks and make tackles when he does manage to peel off. He also tends to rely too much on his athleticism to make plays than he does making proper reads, and some of the mistakes he was able to get away with in college will be quickly exposed at the professional level.

Still, Trufant is truly a student of the game and certainly has the pedigree to know what it takes to succeed at the next level. With his strong foundation, there’s no doubt that he will continue to learn and improve at the next level. While he may not be one of the next great shutdown corners in the NFL, there’s no doubt that he has the abilities to be one of the stronger cover corners as soon as this year.

College statistics courtesy of Sports Reference. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yvGoOZdl_Zs

Fantasy Impact

The Falcons traded up with the St. Louis Rams to address their need at corner. He has been compared to Asante Samuel, and now he will get to learn how to hone his skills behind that very man. He should see regular defensive snaps immediately, and as a rookie cornerback will be often picked on by opposing defenses. Average tackle numbers from a cornerback with a couple interceptions and a handful of passes defended seem like a safe expectation for the young talented cornerback.