On Wednesday, the Falcons made a roster move by signing cornerback Harrison Hand, according to the team’s announcement. In a corresponding move, they waived cornerback Anthony Sao. Sao was one of three undrafted free agent corners that the Falcons signed in April.
Hand was originally drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Temple. After spending two seasons in Minnesota and playing in 23 games, he joined the Bears. Hand last played in 2022, appearing in four games with one start for Chicago.
In his three seasons in the NFL, Hand has played in 27 games with two starts. He has recorded 24 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception, which he made against Saints quarterback Drew Brees in 2020. The addition of Hand will strengthen the Falcons cornerback position and provide depth and experience to the team’s defense. Hand’s versatility and ability to make plays in the secondary will be valuable assets for Atlanta as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The signing of Harrison Hand is an exciting development for the Falcons as they look to bolster their defense for next season. With his experience playing at a high level in both Minnesota and Chicago, Hand should be able to make an immediate impact on Atlanta’s backfield.
Hand was originally drafted by Minnesota but was not able to find success there despite being given multiple opportunities to prove himself on a young team that lacked depth at certain positions. He then moved on to Chicago where he had some success but his time there was cut short due to injury.
Despite his past struggles with injuries, Hand’s talent cannot be overlooked and he will bring much-needed experience and versatility to Atlanta’s defense. He can play both inside and outside corners which means that he can cover different types of receivers and formations.
The Falcons have been looking for ways to improve their defense after finishing near the bottom of several defensive categories last season. Signing Harrison Hand is just one step towards making that happen as they continue their offseason roster building process.
Overall, this move is a great fit for both sides as it gives Atlanta much-needed depth and experience at corner while also providing Harrison with a fresh start on his NFL career where he can finally showcase his talent without any hindrance from injuries or poor team performance.
