Atlanta Falcons Dee Alford’s journey to the NFL is a strong testament to hard work and preservative. Alford joined the Falcons in 2022 and quickly showed he could hang with NFL competition. His agility, instincts, and toughness helped him earn playing time, and he steadily carved out a role as both a cornerback and special-teams contributor. In just his second season, he made headlines with key tackles and pass breakups.
By the 2024 season, Alford had become a fixture in the Falcons’ defense. He posted career highs in tackles, passes defended, and recorded his first NFL sack. His reliability in coverage and willingness to contribute to run support made him a valuable asset in the team’s secondary rotation.
In a 2021 article by Ashton Edmunds, Alford talks about how it was a dream come true to play for the Falcons.
“It’s just crazy man, it’s like a dream come true,” Alford said. “I talked to a lot of teams, but I already knew that I wanted to come home and play for the home organization and you know, God made it happen for me. I’m thankful and blessed.”
Alford Takes Small School and CFL Route
Alford attended small-school Tusculum University where he became one of the school’s best defenders and returners in school history. Despite standout credentials in college, Alford went undrafted in 2020. He did not play football in 2020 mainly because of the challenges of COVID-19 during the season. Undeterred, he returned to football in 2021 as he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League and immediately made an impact. Starting from day one, he helped propel the Bombers to a Grey Cup championship.
As he continues to evolve, Alford is positioning himself as more than just a feel-good story he’s aiming to be one of the NFL’s most dependable defensive backs. He is not one of the biggest players on the field standing at 5’11 and 175Ibs however he has one of the biggest hearts. With another year of experience and one of the better safeties in Jessie Bates playing behind him, it should be a bigger year for Alford.
Alford Key Member
The Falcons re-signed Alford in 2025 after a good campaign, a move that reflects both his development and the trust the organization has in his abilities. Alford plays one of the toughest positions in football which is the nickel back.
Alford’s profile is built on quick instincts, sharp tackling, and fearless coverage. He’s a fluid athlete who blends coverage skills with aggressive defense which is perfect for the modern NFL’s slot-heavy schemes. His willingness to battle in the trenches against tight ends and running backs shows grit beyond pure coverage ability.
Last season Alford recorded 83 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, and a sack for the Falcons. He became one of the most reliable and active defenders on Atlanta’s defense, especially on third downs and in run support. New defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will need Alford to have a strong season to improve the defense this season.
