The team’s starter inside the past two seasons returns to the Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed slot cornerback Dee Alford, a move that indicates those within the building genuinely believe that coaching was a bigger issue than ability in 2024.
The team had declined to tender Alford, a restricted free agent, earlier this offseason. They never did close the door on a reunion, however, and today the deal is done.
ATL Glo!
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 7, 2025
Alford was a gem in 2023. The defensive back arrived in Atlanta in 2022 as an unknown who had to jump-start his career in the Canadian Football League, but then he became a full-time starter in 2023 and 2024. His time with the Falcons has been a rollercoaster, and last year was the low point after that productive 2023.
Just last week, Raheem Morris discussed how the team is confident in the abilities of Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips when it pertains to playing in the slot. That confidence never resonated with me because Hughes has proven that he is better suited on the outside at multiple stops, and the team has done everything they can to prevent Phillips from seeing slot action (he was outsnapped by UDFA Natrone Brooks 31 to 3 in 2024). The signing of Alford highlights that “coach speak” is at an all-time high, as Alford should be expected to compete for the starting job with Phillips with a good chance to win it outright.
Is there an argument to be made that Jimmy Lake had defenders like Alford in unfavorable decisions? Most certainly, it’s why he’s gone. However, it would be ignorant to put the bulk of the blame for Alford’s season at the feet of Lake. Players have to perform, and more times than not, Alford’s failures came from his play, not scheme. Zach Ertz dismantling you in simple man coverage is not the fault of the defensive coordinator.
zone-coverage ball is on the 5. Falcons only rush 3
-idk what Alford sees here that causes him to react so late. his process has to be sped up.
-he has help inside, and the TE is threatening his zone, but he lets him run by him. leverage has been an issue for him this season. pic.twitter.com/MZxfz3CSko
— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) October 28, 2024
Betting on Alford’s 2025 to land somewhere between his 2023 and 2024 performance isn’t a wild gamble, and that’s especially not a bad gamble if he ends up being a depth player. But the Falcons have signed/re-signed a lot of players that would be best in a depth role, a theme of the Fontenot era.
We assume these players will see a reduced role every year, but they often become starters or high-volume players due to the inability to fill spots with draft talent from the current year or years prior. They’re stuck in a cycle of over-relying on budget signings; Alford is a strong bet to push hard for a starting job without a significant upgrade arriving via the draft.
Still, this move changes nothing regarding team draft needs. Atlanta still needs high-caliber defenders in both the secondary and defensive front. It’s good that the Falcons recognized their issues from a defensive coaching standpoint, but moving on from Lake will be meaningless if the other half of the equation isn’t solved. The hope is that if they are betting on Alford to return to his 2023 form, he does so, but the Falcons need to limit the number of bets they’re making.
Talent trumps all, and it won’t matter who’s calling plays if the Falcons can’t acquire any.