PFF grades Falcons’ selection of Clark Phillips III

The Falcons used their first selection of Day 3 to draft another defensive player. This time, it was Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III. While the team already added a potential starter in Jeff Okudah, there’s room for Phillips to make an impact at the nickel spot.

Pro Football Focus has given Atlanta’s first three draft picks an “average” grade, but the selection of Phillips has earned the team a “very good” grade. Phillips was rated No. 62 on PFF’s big board:

Phillips is undersized (5-foot-9 with arms just over 29 inches long) and a below-average athlete. That’s not a great combination and why he’s slid to this point in the draft. However, Clark is a physical, savvy coverage defender who can compete for a role in the slot with Atlanta. He tallied six interceptions and four pass breakups in his final season with the Utes, allowing a 68.4 passer rating into his coverage.

Training camp battles should be fun to watch with Phillips throwing his hat in the ring alongside Dee Alford, Mike Hughes and Darren Hall in the Falcons secondary.

Atlanta has two picks remaining in the seventh round (Nos. 224 and 225). Check back for more coverage as Day 3 wraps up.