A.J. Terrell

Atlanta Falcons

Pos CB

Updated October 8, 2026

Compare A.J. Terrell CB rankings →

Model Score

89.8 MODEL

2020

73.6

2021

99.0

2022

73.9

2023

78.5

2024

79.3

2025

81.9

2026

89.8

How good he is at what he is supposed to be doing, out of 100. Not a projection of what he will do next, and not a read on his contract. Median is about 70, and a 95 is rare. How it is built →

STM Take

2021 tier 1 (#1) STTM peak plus the 2025 tier 2 (#10) bounce-back puts Terrell in the rare CB class with elite peak and structural mid-career volatility. The Clemson 2018 CFP National Championship pedigree plus the 16th overall draft slot establishes elite foundation. The 2026 question is whether Terrell earns his first Pro Bowl plus holds tier 2 territory or whether the structural mid-career instability returns.

Terrell came out of Clemson as the Atlanta Falcons' 1st-round pick (16th overall) in 2020 after starting for the Tigers' 2018 CFP National Championship roster. He delivered a tier 1 (#1) STTM peak as a rookie in 2021. His STTM career runs tier 1 (#1) in 2021, tier 7 (#54) in 2022, tier 6 (#44) in 2023, tier 7 (#53) in 2024, and tier 2 (#10) bounce-back in 2025.

Strengths

2021 tier 1 (#1) STTM peak as a 16th overall pick plus the 2018 Clemson CFP National Championship pedigree establishes elite CB ceiling.
2025 tier 2 (#10) bounce-back after three years of tier 6-7 finishes confirms the elite ceiling is still reachable.

Concerns

Career STTM volatility (tier 1 in 2021, tier 6-7 in 2022-2024, tier 2 in 2025) confirms the ceiling is highly team-fit and scheme dependent.
Atlanta's broader defensive identity around the multi-year rebuild compresses the structural support around Terrell.

What to watch: Whether Terrell earns his first Pro Bowl in 2026 plus holds tier 2 or better, the threshold for confirming the 2025 ceiling can be sustained.

Comps

Overall match

size, testing and production, same career stage

Bryant McFadden ’0981%Carlos Rogers ’1073%Desmond Trufant ’1872%

Famous comp

names you know, same point in their careers (around year 6)

Jaire Alexander ’2388%Adoree' Jackson ’2285%Fernando Bryant ’0483%

Plays like

on-field production only

Jaire Alexander ’2388%Avonte Maddox ’1986%Fabian Moreau ’2286%

Built like

measurables only, his size

William Bartee88%Riley Moss86%Carlos Rogers85%

Coming out

pros whose college production, size and testing looked like his

Darius Slay ’1376%Chimdi Chekwa ’1172%Trayvon Mullen ’1967%

Names you know nearby: Desmond Trufant ’13 67%.

Of his 20 closest coming out: 2 stars, 2 starters, 8 backups, 8 didn't stick.

A.J. Terrell Injury StatusIR

A.J. Terrell is listed on injured reserve (Groin), reported Sep 22, with a return date of Oct 25. Source: the official NFL injury report, refreshed daily.