Richie Grant

After a modest rookie campaign, the 2021 second-round pick won a starting job last year and totaled 123 tackles, seven pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 17 appearances for the Falcons. Grant still has two years remaining on his first pro contract and is considered the early favorite to remain a first-team defender even after the offseason addition of safety Jessie Bate, which would send Jaylinn Hawkins to a reserve role. However, Atlanta has more secondary depth in 2023 than they did in 2022, so things could change quickly if Grant doesn't play up to par.

The 2021 second-round pick appeared in 16 games as a rookie and totaled 35 tackles, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Grant never settled in as a regular starter during his rookie campaign, but with Atlanta in the midst of a rebuild, he'll likely get plenty of opportunities to seize that role from free-agent signee Dean Marlowe.

A three-time, first-team All-AAC safety at UCF, Grant was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old is poised to compete with free-agent addition Erik Harris for the starting role at free safety. However, Grant could prove to be a valuable IDP asset if he wins the job and his playmaking (17 forced turnovers the last three years) and tackling (291 stops in 33 starts) carries over to the NFL level.