In 2023, the Atlanta Falcons boasted a strong pass defense, placing 6th in completions allowed, 7th in targets defended, 8th in yards surrendered, 22nd in touchdowns given up, and 9th in first downs conceded.
The departure of Jeff Okudah, who joined the Houston Texans after not being re-signed by the Falcons, left a gap at the outside cornerback position opposite A.J. Terrell. To fill this void, the team made a move in free agency by acquiring a 31-year-old player from the NFC West.
The Atlanta Falcons signed a cornerback from the NFC West.
The Falcons revealed, on X date, that they had inked a contract with Antonio Hamilton Sr. This marks Hamilton’s sixth team in his ninth year in the NFL. Throughout his career, he has participated in 98 games, starting 18 of them, and has accrued 172 tackles, two interceptions, 25 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.
Antonio Hamilton Sr. spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Hamilton was initially signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 17, 2021, but they released him during the final round of roster cuts. He then joined the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on September 3 and was later promoted to the active roster on September 29.
In the 2021 season, Hamilton appeared in 17 games and started twice, recording 38 tackles, one for a loss, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and earning a 65.4 PFF Grade in 312 defensive snaps (29%). He allowed 23 receptions on 36 targets for 219 yards, one touchdown, and an 89.9 passer rating.
However, his 2022 season got off to a challenging start as he began on the reserve/non-football injury list due to severe burns on his feet from a grease fire incident at his home. Despite this setback, he returned in Week 5 and played in 10 out of the remaining 13 games, starting five. He registered 44 tackles, one interception, five pass deflections, and a 68.5 PFF Grade in 418 defensive snaps (61%). He allowed 32 receptions on 48 targets for 301 yards, one touchdown, and an 82.0 passer rating. He also missed one game due to a back injury and two games due to a hip injury.
In the 2023 season, Hamilton played in 14 games and started nine, sitting out three due to a groin injury. He accumulated 40 tackles, one interception, 11 pass deflections, and a 64.7 PFF Grade in 559 defensive snaps (61%). 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.
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