FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Despite earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2021, Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell has never been to the Pro Bowl.
He's made a strong case this season to have that first trip.
Terrell has routinely covered the opposition's top wide receiver this season, and he's been effective at limiting their production. His two interceptions are the second-most of his career, and quarterbacks have avoided testing Terrell for much of the year, which is the ultimate sign of respect for an NFL cornerback.
Voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games has begun — you can cast yours here — and Terrell's consistent play on both sides of the field is worthy of recognition. Let's take a closer look as to why that is.
How Terrell stacks up to the competition
Among NFC cornerbacks with at least 400 coverage snaps this season, Terrell has been targeted the fewest number of times. His 53 targets are behind only Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos, who has 43. Terrell has allowed 421 yards as the nearest defender, which ranks third among NFC corners with 400 coverage snaps. If we bump that qualifier to 300 snaps, Terrell still ranks 11th.
Terrell has forced a tight-window throw 28.3% of the time, the third-highest rate among that 300-snap qualifier of NFC corners. He's also allowed the third-fewest yards after catch per reception at 2.3. All of this despite playing zone coverage at the fourth-highest rate — and highest rate of his career — which highlights how quickly he's reacting once the ball is in the air.
Notable Next Gen Stat
At 20.8%, Terrell has allowed the fourth-lowest percentage of "open" targets to receivers among all NFL cornerbacks with at least 300 coverage snaps.
In Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, Terrell lined up against star receiver Justin Jefferson on 18 of his 32 routes (56.3%) and allowed only one reception for 7 yards as the nearest defender in coverage.
Best game of the season
In the Week 8 road win against Tampa Bay, Terrell had seven tackles, including six solo, and one of his two interceptions of the season. That interception earned the respect of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
"The one down in the red zone, A.J. Terrell just truly falling off of his man in a match coverage set that – obviously, you look at it, he's not supposed to do that — but he made a hell of a play," Mayfield said. "That's one of those things that I really don't have much [to say] besides he made a hell of a play."
One quote to earn your vote
"He's one of the guys on the team that comes in every day and gives his all every single day, whether it's meetings or film study. Every week, if a team has a top receiver, he's following that receiver, he's guarding that receiver. That alone right there just lets you know he's a Pro Bowl guy. Numbers don't lie, he's got some interceptions and a lot of pass breakups. Like I said, he's a shutdown man corner. He's one of those guys you want to have on your team no matter what. I feel like he definitely deserves the Pro Bowl this year."
Voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games
Fans can cast a vote for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on AtlantaFalcons.com, NFL.com or on X by using #ProBowlVote and the name of the player. Fan voting will close on Dec. 23, and rosters will be revealed in early January. On the final two days of the voting period — Dec. 22 and 23 — all votes cast on X will count double towards a player's total.
