2012 Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Roster Overview: Cornerbacks

The Atlanta Falcons biggest weakness on defense the past few years was the nickel corner, and the Falcons have gotten much deeper with the addition of Asante Samuel.

The Falcons have the only two corners, who in 2011, allowed under five yards per attempt in Samuel and Grimes.

This show will review the cornerbacks brought into camp.

Brent Grimes

2011 Role: Starting cornerback

2012 Role: Starting cornerback

Brent Grimes is one of the top corners in the NFL today and has been known as a playmaker for the past few years with his acrobatic interceptions.

Grimes is going to be guaranteed a starting spot on the defense. The only question is which side of the field he plays.

Asante Samuel

2011 Role: Nickel cornerback for Philadelphia

2012 Role: Starting cornerback

Samuel was misused last year as a nickel cornerback and still provided one of the better performances at corner in 2011.

Samuel will do much better for the Falcons as the starting cornerback and should return to his old glory.

Dunta Robinson

2011 Role: Starting cornerback

2012 Role: Nickel cornerback

Dunta Robinson is a very good corner, and while the Falcons have had trouble at nickel corner, they decided the best way to improve it was to have Robinson slide over to the nickel spot.

Robinson will be the nickel corner for the Falcons in 2012 and should give the Falcons a top nickel package.

Dominique Franks

2011 Role: Reserve corner and special teamer

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve cornerback and special teams job

Dominique Franks has been a solid corner and special teams player for the Falcons.

He does his best job as an outside corner and will be able to compete for the punt and kick return jobs as well as being a dime corner for the team.

Chris Owens

2011 Role: Reserve corner and special teamer

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve cornerback and special teams job

Chris Owens got completely owned in the two playoff games the past two years. However, the Falcons will enjoy having him for depth and a special teams ace.

Owens does his best when he can fly around the field, and he's arguably the fastest player on the field.

Darrin Walls

2011 Role: Reserve cornerback

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve cornerback and special teams job

Walls earned a spot on the 53-man roster in 2011 and has been solid when he has seen the field in 2011.

Walls has the ability to provide depth for Atlanta and will be a special teams ace for Atlanta should he win the roster spot.

Marty Markett

2011 Role: Starting cornerback for South Carolina

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve cornerback and special teams job

A former safety and cornerback for South Carolina, Markett is arguably the most athletic player in the cornerback corps.

Markett will be competing for the job and should be able to give Walls a run for his money.

Peyton Thompson

2011 Role: Starting cornerback for San Jose State

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve cornerback and special teams job

Thompson is a good fit for the reserve role, but he isn't the kind of player Walls or even Markett is.

Thompson should compete well, but it' very unlikely he makes the roster unless the Falcons keep more than six corners, and there's an injury.

Robert McClain

2011 Role: Reserve cornerback for Jacksonville

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve cornerback and special teams job

Robert McClain can come in and compete and even has experience as a corner in the NFL.

However, he has an uphill battle for the spot and could very well end up in the first round of cuts this year in the preseason.