After landing big-name free agents in 2023 and 2024, the Atlanta Falcons had to sit on their hands during the 2025 free agency period due to a lack of salary cap space. The team was forced to release defensive lineman Grady Jarrett and let multiple free agents walk, including center Drew Dalman.
Another player the Falcons are not expected to bring back is nickel cornerback Dee Alford. The former undrafted free agent appeared in 48 games over the last three seasons, but the team found his $3.2 million tender too expensive. Since the Falcons have yet to sign a clear replacement at the nickel spot, they may be forced to look at some in-house options.
According to Josh Kendall of the Athletic, Atlanta plans to audition third-year cornerback Clark Phillips III at the nickel this season.
"The Falcons believe Mike Hughes can play outside cornerback or the nickel spot, and they plan to audition Clark Phillips III at nickelback this offseason to see if he has the same type of versatility, Morris said," wrote Kendall. "Atlanta has not re-signed last year’s starting nickel, Dee Alford, and is likely to be on the lookout for another cornerback in the draft. However, if none of the Falcons’ preferred targets become available to them during the draft, having Hughes and Phillips both trained at nickel will at least give them options at the two starting outside spots."
Phillips, a former fourth-round pick, has shown promise over his first two NFL seasons. However, he's primarily played on the outside since joining the team in 2023. Last season, Phillips earned a coverage grade of 74.1, which was higher than A.J. Terrell (69.5), Mike Hughes (71.4) and Alford (55.9).
The former Utah standout recorded his first career interceptions along with 28 solo tackles and five passes defended. Phillips may not have NFL experience in the slot, but he played there quite a bit during his final year at Utah (214 snaps).
The draft is also an option, as Kendall suggested, but finding someone to start in the slot as a rookie seems unlikely. While Hughes also has experience in the slot, his move back to the outside provided one of the few bright spots on defense last season.
The team gave Hughes a three-year, $18 million contract, so expect him to continue starting on the outside in 2025. The Falcons should have more clarity in secondary after the 2025 NFL draft later this month.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Clark Phillips to start at nickel in 2025?