It can be hard to draw conclusions from preseason games where the overwhelming majority of starters -- and even some key backups -- don't see the field. However, in a 19-3 win over the Miami Dolphins to open up their preseason slate, the Atlanta Falcons may have gotten a look at a potential diamond in the rough.
In his first preseason action, safety DeMarcco Hellams -- a seventh-round pick in this year's NFL Draft -- recorded a first-quarter interception against Miami quarterback Mike White. Additionally, he added five tackles, impressing coach Arthur Smith.
“It’s the same thing we saw it in Alabama – the guy is around the football," Smith said of Hellams. "He’s a good football player.”
Hellams' ability to catch the ball at a high level shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given that he was a star receiver at the high school level playing for DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland. In his senior season, Hellams caught 78 passes for 1,469 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was recruited as an athlete and eventually played safety at Alabama, but he very well could have been a productive collegiate receiver.
Hellams, 23, had four interceptions over his final two seasons at Alabama. He added 108 total tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his final season playing for the Crimson Tide. Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins are currently penciled in as the starting safeties for the Falcons, but Hellams is an interesting candidate to be with the Falcons in 2023, whether it's on the 53-man roster or the practice squad.
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