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Robert Alford, Returner

The Falcon rookie cornerback is likely to get most of his action on special teams in 2013.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons loaded up on cornerbacks in this draft, bringing in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford as well as a couple of intriguing young UDFAs. They did this to shore up the secondary this year and to enhance it for the years ahead, of course.

In Alford's case, however, he's unlikely to get huge snaps as a rookie at corner. He's a little raw overall, and while Mike Nolan will give him chances as the team's fourth cornerback, it's fairly obvious that some combination of Asante Samuel, Trufant and Robert McClain will make up the top three corners on the roster.

That leaves Alford to carve out a role elsewhere, and it appears that role will be returner. The Falcons simply don't have any great options there aside from Jacquizz Rodgers, who should have a major role on offense. Dominique Franks is likely gone, Harry Douglas also has a pretty good role and no one else jumps off the page at you, per se.

Alford, meanwhile, has experience in college as a returner. He has good wheels and makes excellent cuts, and he was sure-handed as a returner throughout his college years. That makes him the prohibitive favorite to take at least one of those spots, and here I'm looking at punt returner, where he more or less can't help being an upgrade.

Do you think Alford will seize kick returner, punt returner, or both?