Report: Falcons Sign Former Packers Cornerback in the Second Round.
Terrin Waack, the Falcons’ digital team writer, has learned that Kevin King, a former second-round choice of the Green Bay Packers, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
“On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons announced the signing of cornerback Kevin King. King has been out of the NFL for the past two years, but this transaction brings him back.
“King’s professional resume lists five active seasons from 2017 to 21. He is coming to Atlanta.” King was originally selected in the second round by the Green Bay Packers with a pick out of Washington. King and the Packers reached an agreement in 2021 for a one-year contract after he served four years on a rookie contract.
The Reason Kevin King Hasn’t Appeared in Two Seasons
King was sidelined for personal reasons in 2022 and suffered a torn Achilles tendon during an offseason training in 2023.
King discussed missing the 2022 and 2023 seasons in a video that was posted to his YouTube account. He provided fans with the precise explanation for his absence from the field.
“After playing with the Packers for five years, I was in reasonably good health. For the first time in a long time, I felt fairly decent at that moment. I didn’t get much of an offseason during my first four years because I had surgery every year,” King remarked. “They don’t really discuss the mental strain that dealing with injuries has on you.”
King revealed his ailment in the same video, stating, “I knew it,” in reference to ripping his Achilles tendon.
The Falcons Were Short on Play Cornerbacks.
By signing King, the Atlanta Falcons are able to take a risk on a cornerback who may prove to be a crucial member of their team. King’s performance has been promising, particularly in 2019 when he started 14 out of 15 games and recorded five interceptions.
King had the worst season of his career in 2021, when he played his final season. He only had one interception and gave up a 71.4% completion rate on 28 targets. King recorded 197 tackles, five tackles for loss, and seven pass interceptions over the course of his five seasons.
With the Falcons, King will see some familiar faces again. Jimmy Lake, the defensive coordinator for the Falcons, served as King’s assistant coach at Washington. During King’s final season, Justin Hood, the secondary coach for the Falcons, was the defensive quality coach for the Green Bay Packers.
In a March 5 piece, Waack expressed his opinion that the Falcons should make improvements at cornerback, stating that they needed to find A.J. Terrell a reliable partner.
The Falcons must find A.J. Terrell a reliable secondary dancing partner at this position. In 2023, Terrell was the only player to start each and every game. In contrast, his opponent started out as Jeff Okudah and ended up as Clark Phillips III.
Trerrell is still under contract, thus he’s a lock for 2024. Phillips is also expected back, though it’s still unclear if he will start. Now that his rookie deal has expired, Okudah is free to sign elsewhere, though he may choose to stay in Atlanta.
This signing fills a need that wasn’t met by the Falcons’ lack of other free agent cornerback signings.
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