This group is suddenly loaded with intriguing young talent.

Cornerback was a problem spot for the Falcons in 2018. Desmond Trufant had a couple of bad games in an otherwise quality year Womens Sherrick McManis Jersey , Robert Alford was hurt and had perhaps his worst NFL season as a result, Brian Poole was solid but still suffered through some shaky coverage, and the team’s depth was questionable outside of Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who barely got on the field. The late growth of Isaiah Oliver was a rare bright spot, but it was beyond aggravating to see the Falcons trot Alford out week after week in light of what we’ve learned about his injury, especially with Oliver and Wreh-Wilson largely parked.To their credit, the Falcons have made the position an offseason priority. Their top three looks pretty strong and talented on paper with Kazee porting over from safety, and with two draft selections and the return of Wreh-Wilson, this team could field six interesting corners in 2019. Let’s break the position down further. StartersFew positions with genuine talent on this roster is in more flux than cornerback, with only guard being a serious contender as a rival here. The Falcons had an expected top three of Desmond Trufant, Isaiah Oliver, and Damontae Kazee going into free agency and the draft, and that is still the expectation today. It’s just that it’s not the settled matter it might have been before.Let’s roll on with that assumption, though, because it’s still the likeliest outcome. That brings us first to Desmond Trufant, who is probably the single most divisive player on this roster once you clear out the increasingly silly attacks on Matt Ryan. Trufant is getting paid like a top ten cornerback—his annual average is currently the seventh-highest in the league—and hasn’t quite played at that level over the last 2-3 years. He remains the team’s best cover cornerback, a top ten player in the NFL when it comes to handling deep strikes, and a player who reliably makes plays on the ball. He’s had a bit of a tougher time on short-to-intermediate routes in recent years and is notoriously bad at coming down with the interceptions that find their way into his hands, but he remains a very good player whose limitations are magnified because they don’t concern the thing he does best: Covering receivers. No one should be shocked if the Falcons are looking to move on from him in the next couple of seasons—drafting three cornerbacks in the last two seasons does give one that impression—but he’ll head into the year as the team’s best starter by a wide margin.The new #2 is Isaiah Oliver, a player I unabashedly love despite an up-and-down rookie season. Oliver isn’t the prototype cornerback for Dan Quinn, per se, but he’s got close to ideal length, a strong athletic profile, the high character makeup DQ covets, and the ability to make plays on the ball. He’s going to be tested early and often in 2019, but he has the skill to thrive as soon as this year in an expanded opportunity. His success—or lack thereof—will be crucial to the unit Charles Leno Jersey , but optimism is the only thing I have for that and it’s not super tangible.Kazee as a cornerback is a little different, because we saw him on the field plenty last year, albeit at safety. From that, we know that Kazee’s physicality compares favorably to Brian Poole, who was brutally effective at dropping receivers and quarterbacks alike as the team’s physical nickel corner. We also know he’s a true ballhawk, having grabbed seven interceptions in 2018 at safety, and that his experience at corner in college should help him make the transition pretty smoothly. Kazee has the upside to be a terrific option here, and his track record in coverage suggests he can probably improve what Poole offered there a year ago. Overall, this group has a ton of talent and upside but question marks to go with it, largely based on experience (Kazee and Oliver) and recent production (Trufant). I’m bullish on their chances of being above average, at the very least.Reserves Things are very interesting here after the draft. The Falcons used a fourth round pick on Kendall Sheffield, a player this team clearly loves despite the fact that he’s a day three pick. Sheffield has length, fantastic wheels, and an aggressive style of play, and he’ll get as much run as he shows he’s capable of handling. He’ll go into the year as the fourth or fifth cornerback, depending on his progress, but if/when his coverage and instincts improve he’s going to push the starters. At the very least, Ben Kotwica should be itching to get his speed on special teams.Blidi Wreh-Wilson will be fighting to make the roster now with two rookies, but he shouldn’t be counted out of the competition. He’s played well the last two seasons, albeit in very limited opportunities, and figures to slot in as the fourth or fifth corner because of it. If the Falcons only carry five corners, though, Wreh-Wilson’s probably the guy who is gonna lose his gig.Jordan Miller is the other rookie, and he’s an intriguing player as well. His upside might not be as titanic as Sheffield’s, but he offers quality speed and pretty advanced coverage instincts and acumen for a sixth round rookie. He needs to put injury issues behind him and improve his play strength, as our own Eric Robinson noted http://www.thebearslockerroom.com/authentic-joel-iyiegbuniwe-jersey , but he has the talent to be a high-end reserve at worst in the NFL if he can get there. For the first year of his career, though, I imagine he’ll be the last man off the bench.There are other competitors here, but it would not be unreasonable to suggest that none of them are going to make the roster unless the Falcons move one of their current cornerbacks.Outlook It’s a refrain you’ll hear over and over again on defense, but it’s worth repeating in every instance: The cornerback group has the talent to be tremendous, but there are valid questions about whether everything will come together the way we want it to.Trufant is the closest thing to a sure thing at the position, with his coverage skills largely holding up aside from what has become an annual couple of shaky games. Otherwise, this team is going to be heavily relying on young, athletic talent, from the more experienced Oliver and particularly Kazee to the brand new Sheffield and Miller. If they live up to their reputed talent, or even close to it, cornerback might be one of the team’s true defensive strengths. If Oliver and/or Kazee falter, the Falcons at least have interesting options, but it’s really just a question of readiness for a group of potentially gifted young defensive backs.Me? I’ll go on record and say that I expect Trufant, Oliver and Kazee to all enjoy quality years, with Sheffield and Miller mixing in to get a little experience and prepare to take on larger roles in 2019. I’m probably more bullish about this group than any other on defense, unless you count the suddenly deep defensive tackle group. LAKE FOREST, Ill. 鈥?Clinch the NFC North championship and beat a heated rival to do it? The Chicago Bears couldn’t have asked for a sweeter scenario.That’s exactly the opportunity they’re staring at when they host Aaron Rodgers and the fading Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon.“It would be very exciting,” quarterback Mitchell Trubisky said. “We know this is a big week for us, and a lot comes with it.”More Packers coverage from FOX Sports WisconsinGreen Bay Packers 2019 NFL draft capsulesPackers close out 2019 draft, select LB Summers in seventh roundPackers add CB Hollman, RB Williams in sixth roundPackers address defense in fifth round, select DL Kingsley KekePackers use third-round pick to select TE Jace SternbergerWith six wins in the past seven games, the division championship and a playoff spot are just about in hand.A win over the Packers (5-7-1) would clinch the North for the Bears (9-4). So would a loss by Minnesota to Miami. And ties by both the Bears and the Vikings would do the trick, too.Even if they don’t clinch the division, they could still secure a playoff spot on Sunday. In that case Womens Nick Kwiatkoski Jersey , a tie against Green Bay 鈥?or a tie or loss by Washington against Jacksonville 鈥?would send Chicago to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 team won the NFC North.Of course, with a victory comes this added bonus: beating Green Bay. It would also give the Bears a measure of revenge for that season-opening gut punch at Lambeau Field, when Rodgers got carted off the field with a left knee injury and came back to lead the Packers from 20 down to a 24-23 victory.“It’s a special moment in my career,” Rodgers said. “It is the Bears, and the injury I was dealing with and the pain and 20-0 and coming back and winning that game. It seems a long time ago, standing here in Week 15, but that was a good moment for us. It’s a better moment when you parlay those into big-time winning seasons and championship runs, but it was a special moment for sure.”The teams’ fortunes sure have changed since.The Bears have emerged as a force in the NFC in their first season under coach Matt Nagy after four straight last-place finishes. The Packers fired Mike McCarthy in his 13th season two weeks ago and made offensive coordinator Joe Philbin the interim head coach, hoping to jolt a team in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.The Packers won his debut , beating the Atlanta Falcons 34-20. The Bears beat the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams 15-6 last week, with their defense squashing one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses.Here are some things to know with Chicago on the verge of securing a playoff spot and Green Bay’s hopes fading:STREAK VS. STRENGTHIt’s a case of a streak vs. strength when Rodgers faces Chicago’s turnover-happy defense. The Bears are first in the NFL in turnover margin at plus-13. Rodgers hasn’t thrown a pick since Week 4, when his pass over the middle for Jimmy Graham was deflected twice before being intercepted by Bills safety Jordan Poyer on second-and-4 from the Packers 49. It’s the only interception this season for Rodgers. Since then he’s had 368 straight attempts without an interception to set an NFL record.“Yeah, you know hopefully it stays that way,” Philbin said as he knocked on a wooden podium for good luck. The Packers are plus-2 in turnover margin, tied for 14th in the league.7View Gallery Gallery:Upon Further Review: Packers vs. FalconsBenny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports | Benny SieuROAD WOESWith an 0-6 road record and eight straight losses dating to last season, the Packers sure have experienced difficulties away from Lambeau Field. That’s something they hope to change against Chicago.The Packers have won nine of the past 10 meetings overall. They also have an eight-game winning streak at Soldier Field, counting the postseason.COMFORT AT HOMEWhile the Packers have struggled on the road, the Bears are 6-1 at Soldier Field.That gives them their highest win total at home since going 6-2 in 2008. And if they beat Green Bay, the Bears would finish 7-1 at home for the first time since 2005.Also, Nagy’s nine victories are the most by a coach in his first season with the Bears since Paddy Driscoll led the 1956 team to a 9-2-1 mark.TURNOVER TIMESpeaking of turnovers, the Packers’ defense has been hit or miss when it comes to takeaways. Cornerback Bashaud Breeland accounted for both of Green Bay’s takeaways last week with an interception return for a touchdown and fumble recovery, though the latter came on a botched shotgun snap. Still, the win over the Falcons ended a two-week stretch without a takeaway.OFFENSIVE OUTPUTThe Bears would certainly welcome a better showing from Trubisky. He struggled against Los Angeles after missing back-to-back games because of a right shoulder injury, with a season-high three interceptions and a 33.3 rating that was his lowest of the year.One positive for the Bears’ offense: Jordan Howard running for a season-high 101 yards.12View Gallery Gallery:PHOTOS: Packers vs. FalconsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports | Jeff Hanisch—GREEN BAY (5-7-1) at CHICAGO (9-4)Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE 鈥?Bears by 6RECORD VS. SPREAD 鈥?Packers 5-7-1 Prince Amukamara Jersey , Bears 9-4SERIES RECORD 鈥?Packers lead 97-94-6LAST MEETING 鈥?Packers beat Bears 24-23, Sept. 9LAST WEEK 鈥?Packers beat Falcons 34-20; Bears beat Rams 15-6AP PRO32 RANKING 鈥?Packers No. 19, Bears No. 6PACKERS OFFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (11), RUSH (19), PASS (10)PACKERS DEFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (16), RUSH (24), PASS (8)BEARS OFFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (22t), RUSH (13), PASS (23)BEARS DEFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (3), RUSH (2), PASS (10)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES 鈥?Aaron Rodgers led Packers from 20 points down to 24-23 victory in opener at Lambeau Field after suffering knee injury. Randall Cobb scored go-ahead 75-yard TD on catch-run in closing minutes. … Green Bay is playing second game since offensive coordinator Joe Philbin replaced fired coach Mike McCarthy on interim basis. … Packers are 0-6 on road, have dropped eight straight away from Lambeau Field. … Green Bay has won nine of past 10 games overall against Chicago. Packers also have eight-game win streak at Soldier Field, counting postseason. … Rodgers has thrown 368 straight passes without interception to set NFL record. … WR Davante Adams is tied for NFL lead with 12 TD catches. … Cobb had nine catches for 142 yards and TD in opener. … Bears could clinch first playoff appearance since 2010 team won NFC North. … Chicago would capture division with win over Packers or loss by Minnesota to Miami. Ties by both Bears and Vikings would also secure first place. … Bears could clinch playoff spot if they don’t win division with tie, or loss or tie by Washington against Jacksonville. … With 6-1 mark, Bears have matched their highest home win total since going 6-2 in 2008. With win, Chicago would finish 7-1 at Soldier Field for first time since 2005. … Matt Nagy’s nine wins are most by coach in first season with Bears since Paddy Driscoll led the 1956 team to 9-2-1 mark. … Bears lead NFL in turnover differential (plus 13), interceptions (25). … RB Jordan Howard ran for season-high 101 yards last week. … Bears’ CB Kyle Fuller tied for NFL lead with Miami’s Xavien Howard with seven interceptions. … LB Khalil Mack leads Bears with 10 sacks, tied for NFL lead with six forced fumbles. … Tarik Cohen leads NFL with 360 punt return yards, ranks second among NFL RBs with 679 yards receiving. … Fantasy tip: Rodgers has haunted Bears throughout career, with 45 touchdown passes, nine interceptions and 108.3 rating in 20 regular-season games against them.