FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons defensive back Dee Alford played a pivotal role in the team’s recent victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by intercepting quarterback Baker Mayfield late in the game. The interception occurred during a crucial moment in the fourth quarter and helped shift momentum in favor of Atlanta.
Alford described his approach on the play: “Knowing when Baker needs a play, he’s going to try to find Mike Evans,” Alford said. “Obviously Mike Evans was having some success against Cobee (Bryant). So, I had to do my own thing a little bit. Gave him a little disguise. He thought I was playing man coverage, which I wasn’t. … I just kind of left my guy. I saw Baker staring Mike Evans down and was able to just make a huge play that changed the game.”
The defensive play involved Alford moving across more than five yards to intercept Mayfield’s pass intended for receiver Mike Evans. Despite being an undrafted free agent who did not attend the NFL combine, Alford’s athleticism stood out during this key moment.
Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich commented on Alford’s adaptability: “His versatility, first and foremost,” Ulbrich said. “The ability to play outside and inside, I think people underestimate how difficult that is. Playing inside, especially in the system that we’ve put in here this year, is very linebacker-ish from a running perspective. It’s very corner-ish from a matching man perspective. It’s very safety-ish from a communication standpoint and a zone perspective. So, you have to learn so much. I haven’t seen a whole lot of guys have a lot of success swinging back and forth, especially within the same season, and he has done that in such an amazing way this year.”
Throughout the current season, Alford has taken on multiple roles within Atlanta’s defense due to injuries among starters like A.J. Terrell Jr. and Billy Bowman Jr., filling positions as needed both on special teams and at various spots in the secondary.
Reflecting on his preparation for these responsibilities, Alford said: “Over the offseason, I don’t just train for nickel,” he said. “I do cornerback. I do safety. I do different things like that. So, if a situation like this pops up, I can play outside, I can play inside. I never wanted to just label myself as a nickel.”
In 13 games with seven starts this season, Alford has tallied 52 tackles, 10 pass breakups, two sacks as well as forcing and recovering one fumble.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged Alford’s resilience following last year’s challenges: “Dee Alford has a lot of confidence,” Morris said. “Last year, it was shaken a little bit based on a couple of games that we didn’t have as well. Some of the stuff even last year wasn’t his fault that we kind of blamed him for – not we, but the outside world. But he’s done a nice job bouncing back.”
Alford also commented on his personal growth during what is now his contract year: “I’m doing great,” Alford said. “For me, it’s kind of like a redemption in a sense. Just all the hard work that I put in all season, it’s showing.”
