Dud: Quinton Dunbar
Quinton Dunbar has often been hailed as a solid size-speed prospect at cornerback, but Thursday night was not his night.
Dunbar will still be the starting cornerback opposite Josh Norman, and he could still have a very good season. The Falcons game was a bit rough, however, as Dunbar got turned around by receivers on multiple occasions, and looked particularly reserved in close coverage.
Once disruptive, Dunbar’s lack of closing speed and focus on the ball was apparent in Atlanta. These aren’t character traits for Dunbar; at his best in 2018, he was a ball hawk. But he may need a series or so next Thursday to reset ahead of the regular season.
With fellow starter Fabian Moreau set to potentially sit out the start of the season, the rebound of Quinton Dunbar becomes much more important. For some starters, preseason is needed to work out the kinks, and get re-integrated with the speed of the NFL. Dunbar might still be adjusting, especially after a nerve issue in his shin sapped his quickness for much of last year. Thursday’s game gives him a point to improve from, and if his past heights tell us anything, it’s that he will follow through.