The Falcons roster implications for the Avieon Terrell pick

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell (DB31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

By selecting Avieon Terrell, the Atlanta Falcons declared that their cornerback corps needed an upgrade despite their stated intent to build the trenches. In hindsight, the fact that the Falcons made no real attempt to add to a cornerback corps that had some concerns even as they plunged resources into the trenches and the offensive skill position groups might have clued us in to the Terrell pick. Regardless of whether that was a clue or Terrell was just viewed in Flowery Branch as being too good to pass up, his addition strengthens the cornerback group considerably, especially in terms of coverage.

What are the roster implications for the addition? Glad you asked.

Mike Hughes becomes CB4…if everyone’s healthy

I don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that Terrell will beat out Hughes for the CB2 job opposite A.J. Terrell. In fact, I’d say it’s my expectation that in a scenario where everyone is healthy, both Terrells are starting with Billay Bowman Jr. at the nickel.

In that case, barring any sort of a trade, Hughes becomes a fantastic CB4. He can and has played both outside and at the nickel, and if his play at nickel in 2023 and outside in 2025 have been uneven, Hughes is capable of playing at the level of a solid starter at both spots. That makes him a tremendous reserve option, and that’s the best-case scenario here.

Of course, we don’t know if Bowman is going to be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season, which complicates things a bit. In that scenario, both Hughes and Terrell will be starting, and it’s just a question of which one mans the nickel. The good thing for Atlanta is that both players have experience there, with Terrell logging over 100 snaps there in 2025 and Hughes playing there at multiple points in his NFL career.