The Atlanta Falcons could have a problem on their hands. After saying goodbye to several cornerbacks this offseason and drafting a pair of predicted Week One starters, one rookie might not be ready to go for a while. Desmond Trufant was Atlanta's first-round pick. The team traded up to the No. 22 spot to grab the cornerback. Now, the rookie is looking to get paid and willing to put up a fight in order to get what he wants.
Last season, quarterback Brandon Weeden was drafted at No. 22 by the Cleveland Browns. Weeden was able to pull out a three-year contract worth $8 million, over $7 million of that is guaranteed. Because of this contract, Trufant is expecting at least the exact same deal.
Many factors are playing into the reason why Atlanta is unwilling to give out this kind of deal. Weeden is a quarterback, which is valued higher than a cornerback. Cleveland was in desperate need of a quarterback. Weeden is much older, so his future is less predictable. Weeden was also not competing with anyone else at his position. Trufant is young and battling with another cornerback for the starting spot.
Trufant's contract is a problem, especially if he is expecting to get the same deal as Weeden. The Falcons are operating under the belief that they will not comment on ongoing contract negotiations, but dealing with Trufant on top of Matt Ryan's ongoing extension is not putting the team in a good spot.
There is no doubting the talent of Trufant. After Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson and Christopher Owens all left the team in the offseason, the rookie is expected to take over the starting spot. His holdout could hinder his development into becoming that type of player. At this moment with training camp beginning, the Falcons will rely on second-round pick Robert Alford to step up.
The Falcons have not had a rookie hold out from camp since 2008 when Sam Baker was working to finalize his contract. The longer Trufant battles the team on how much money he is guaranteed and what that fourth year of his contract will look like; Alford could jump him for the starting cornerback spot. If the team is lucky, Trufant blinks and signs tomorrow, but right now he is in a heavy staring contest.
