Chevis

Jackson

Dunta Robinson is locked in at LCB, and will be the IDP corner to target in Atlanta. Grimes, who led the team with six picks last year, and Owens, who finished the season starting, may ultimately end up in a rotation. Brian Williams, Chevis Jackson, and rookie Dominique Franks are also competing.

As most Louisiana State defensive backs are, Jackson is an aggressive and efficient tackler. Like Travis Daniels before him, he could be looked at as a safety by some pro clubs. At 6'0/188, he has a solid frame to fill out.

The position will be up for grabs this summer, with veteran Von Hutchins, last year’s third-rounder Chevis Jackson and this year’s third-rounder Chris Owens also in the mix. Grimes isn’t long for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.

Brent Grimes will take over. Williams’ season ends with 18 tackles, one pick, and three pass breakups in five starts. He was a reliable cover man and versed in Smith’s scheme, so it’s a pretty big loss. Atlanta does have talented backups, but Grimes and Jackson will have to step up their performance. Williams was on a one-year deal and may not return in 2010 at age 31.

It’s a big blow to the Falcons’ defense. Williams went up with Greg Olsen on a late-game fade pattern but came down very awkwardly on his leg. Williams will likely be replaced by Brent Grimes at left corner, with Chevis Jackson and rookie Chris Owens getting more snaps in nickel packages.

He’s fallen behind new starting LCB Brian Williams, new nickel back Brent Grimes, and third-round rookie Christoper Owens. Jackson the 68th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, isn’t even helping the Falcons on special teams.

This means Brent Grimes and Chris Houston will be the Falcons’ first-team corners. Jackson is a solid tackler with good ball skills. If Grimes or Houston struggle (quite possible in both cases), Jackson would take over.

Jackson is behind Von Hutchins, Brent Grimes, who Atlanta feels is its best cover corner, and Chris Houston on the depth chart. The other candidates for nickel back are incumbent Antoine Harris and David Irons. The Falcons’ secondary looks quite poor on paper. Keep it in mind for matchup purposes.

Brent Grimes and Chevis Jackson will likely share nickel duties. Hill is finally fulfilling his promise as a cover cornerback and playmaker. He returned a pick 62 yards for a touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Redskins.

We thought he might end up in cover two, but Jackson is an instinctive football player who can really tackle. Atlanta certainly needs bodies at cornerback. Jackson will push to start opposite Chris Houston right away.