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The Falcons got a remarkable amount of good work out of a pair of unlikely cornerbacks. The first was C.J. Goodwin, a converted wide receiver who wound up having a nice year as a cornerback and special teamer for Atlanta. The other was Brian Poole, one of the more impressive nickel backs in the NFL.
Source: NFL has paid out its Performance-Based Pay for 2016, led by Falcons CB Brian Poole at $371,873.11. Dak Prescott 2nd at $353,544.57.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2017
It’s difficult to argue against the notion that Poole deserved every penny. He was basically the team’s full-time nickel cornerback in 2016, and while he had his lapses in coverage along the way, he was insanely good for a UDFA making the leap to the NFL. He was also easily the team’s most physical cornerback from wire-to-wire.
Poole’s 2017 fortunes are uncertain on a pretty loaded depth chart—he could be an option at safety with his physicality, or he may draw snaps as the team’s fourth cornerback—but he was a revelation as a rookie. Wherever he plays, he should fare well, and hopefully a little more flush with cash.