The Atlanta Falcons had a solid pass defense in 2023, ranking 6th in completions, 7th in targets, 8th in yards, 22nd in touchdowns, and 9th in first downs.
The Falcons did not re-sign Jeff Okudah, who signed with the Houston Texans, leaving the outside cornerback position on the opposite side of A.J. Terrell vacant. The team addressed the position in free agency by signing a 31-year-old from the NFC West.
The Atlanta Falcons signed a cornerback from the NFC West.
The Falcons announced, on X, that they signed Antonio Hamilton Sr. to a contract.
Hamilton will be playing for his sixth team in his ninth year in the NFL. He has played 98 games, starting 18, and has 172 tackles, two interceptions, 25 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.
Antonio Hamilton Sr. spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Hamilton on May 17, 2021, but the Buccaneers released him during the final round of roster cuts.
Hamilton signed with the Cardinals practice squad on September 3, and the team promoted him to the active roster on September 29.
Hamilton played in 17 games, starting twice in 2021, with 38 tackles, one for a loss, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and a 65.4 PFF Grade in 312 (29%) defensive snaps. He allowed 23 receptions on 36 targets for 219 yards, one touchdown, and an 89.9 passer rating.
Hamilton started the 2022 season on the reserve/non-football injury list because of a grease fire incident at his house, which caused severe burns to his feet.
Hamilton returned to the football field in Week 5 and played 10 out of their remaining 13 games, starting five, with 44 tackles, one interception, five pass deflections, and a 68.5 PFF Grade in 418 (61%) defensive snaps. He allowed 32 receptions on 48 targets for 301 yards, one touchdown, and an 82.0 passer rating. He missed one game with a back injury and two with a hip injury.
Hamilton played in 14 games, starting nine in 2023, missing three with a groin injury. He had 40 tackles, one interception, 11 pass deflections, and a 64.7 PFF Grade in 559 (61%) defensive snaps. He allowed 29 receptions on 49 targets for 323 yards, three touchdowns, and a 90.8 passer rating.
Why is this signing important?
This signing is important because Hamilton brings depth and experience to the position. The position is young and inexperienced outside of A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes. Clark Phillips III will be in his second season and has 11 career games and five starts, Dee Alford will be in his third season and has 32 career games and five starts, and Natrone Brooks will be in his second season and has zero starts.
This signing is important for another reason.
The Atlanta Falcons have a vacancy at the outside cornerback position.
As of right now, the outside cornerback position is vacant. Depending on what the Falcons do for the remainder of free agency and the draft, Antonio Hamilton Sr. and Clark Phillips III will likely compete for the starting spot.
Will Antonio Hamilton Sr. be the starter next season?
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