FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Through seven training camp practices, Falcons cornerback C.J. Goodwin has been a name whose play has caught the attention of coach Dan Quinn.
While Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, Atlanta's No. 1 and 2 cornerbacks, have been leading the pack, Goodwin has quietly been making a case for himself on the cornerback depth chart.
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"One other corner that's jumped out to me so far and I thought he was making progress last year is C.J. Goodwin," Quinn said. "For sure, he's one that we counted on who really made the team as a special teams player first. And then through injuries, he and Jalen (Collins) really jumped in quickly and both of them answered the bell."
Goodwin was signed to the Falcons' practice squad in November of 2015 as a wide receiver. With his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, Quinn believed he could be an ideal fit at cornerback – a position group the Falcons needed depth at.
Before the end of the 2015 season, Goodwin began his transition to cornerback. Ahead of the 2016 season, Goodwin spent the entire offseason solely working with the cornerbacks.
Between Goodwin's athleticism and ball skills, Goodwin was a natural fit in the unit. He went on to play in 14 games last year where he recorded seven tackles and broke up two passes.
As Goodwin prepares to enter his third NFL season (second as a defensive back), Quinn believes the his game could see drastic improvements. Quinn often refers to the progression players make going from their first to second year.
"I'm hopeful that the jump that we talked about going from Year 1 to Year 2, that's the jump that I hope he'll make," Quinn said.
And although it's still early, Goodwin's performance in training camp is a clear indication of growth the cornerback has made. Goodwin has been all over the practice fields breaking up passes and even picking off quarterback Matt Ryan.
There's no denying the level of competition in the cornerbacks room is helping bring out the best in each player.
Trufant believes the team's depth – especially on defense – is enhancing the level of play across the board. And Goodwin is just one those examples.
"The whole team has depth everywhere," Trufant said. "[Whoever] you line up against, it's going to be a challenge. [Everyone] is always pushing each other. That's what the program is about – competition. I love it, it gets me better every day. You have to bring it every day."
