Desmond Trufant

NFL CAREER – Joins the Saints as a free agent after spending the first seven years of his career (2013-19) with the Falcons and the 2020 season with the Lions; Has the second-most pass defenses (79) and fifth-most interceptions (13) in Falcons history; 2015 Pro Bowl selection; 2013 Pro Football Focus Defensive Rookie of the Year; Has the fourth-most games (tied) with at least one pass defense in the NFL since 2013 (62); Has the second-most pass defenses (79) and fifth-most interceptions (13) in Atlanta Falcons history; Trufant will provide quality depth at the cornerback position for the Black and Gold.

HONORS –2015: Pro Bowl; 2013: Pro Football Focus Defensive Rookie of the Year.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed by Saints, 9/6/21; Released by the Bears, 8/31/21; Signed by the Bears as an UFA to one-year contract, March 20, 2021; Released by the Lions, March 17, 2021; Signed by the Lions as an UFA to a two-year contract, March 18, 2020; Released by the Falcons, March 16, 2020; Re-signed by the Falcons to a five-year extension through 2022, 4/9/17; Falcons exercise fifth-year option on rookie contract, 4/22/16; Signed by the Falcons to a four-year contract, 8/24/13; Selected by Falcons in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

2020 – Placed on Reserve/Injured prior to the team's Week 13 matchup at Chicago; Started in his Lions debut and recorded two solo tackles in Week 1 vs. Chicago (9/13); Recorded six tackles (four solo), 1.0 sack and one pass defense in Week 9 at Minnesota (11/8); Registered four tackles (two solo), two pass defenses and one interception in Week 11 at Carolina (11/22). 2019 – Started all nine games played in 2019 before spending the remainder of the season on injured reserve; Totaled 18 tackles (13 solo), a career-high four interceptions and seven passes defensed; Intercepted QB Carson Wentz twice in the Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, marking his first multiple interception game. 2018 – Started 16 games and totaled 66 tackles (55 solo), 1.0 sack and 12 pass defenses. 2017 – Started all 15 games played and logged 39 tackles (34 solo), a career-high three tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions and 12 pass defenses. 2016 – Started all nine games played and had 30 tackles (25 solo), 2.0 sacks, one interception, four pass defenses and two forced fumbles. 2015 – Started 16 games and recorded 42 tackles (35 solo), 1.0 sack, one interception and 11 pass defenses; Made first-career Pro Bowl. 2014 – Started 16 games and logged 61 total tackles (53 solo), one tackle for loss, three interceptions and 16 pass defenses. 2013 – Started 16 games and finished with 70 tackles (55 solo), two interceptions, 17 pass defenses and one forced fumble; Named the Pro Football Focus Defensive Rookie of the Year; Set a Falcons rookie record with 17 pass defenses.

COLLEGE – Started 47 of 50 career games at the University of Washington posting 195 tackles (151 solo) with a school record 39 passes defensed, 8.5 tackles for loss, and six interceptions; Allowed just eight of 54 pass completions (14.8 percent) on balls thrown in his direction as the Huskies ranked 23rd in the nation in pass defense, allowing 197.3 passing yards per game; In 2011, was named All-Pac 12 Conference honorable mention and won the team's Don James Perseverance Award after starting all 13 games and posting a career-high 64 tackles (46 solo), a team-leading 16 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries; Earned All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention as a sophomore in 2010 starting all 13 games and logging 48 tackles (34 solo) with four passes defensed, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

PERSONAL – Two older brothers, Marcus, and Isaiah played in NFL…Marcus was selected 11th overall by Seattle in the 2003 NFL Draft and spent ten years with the Seahawks, while Isaiah spent time in the AFL and UFL before breaking into the NFL as a practice squad player with the Jets and Eagles…In 2003, the Trufant family created the Trufant Family Foundation. Through the foundation, the Trufant's raise money for student scholarships, donate items to the Boys & Girls Club in Seattle, promote literacy to elementary school students and host free football camps; Attended Wilson High School (Tacoma, Wash.) where he was named a first team all-state selection by the Seattle Times after recording 67 tackles on defense and 12 rushing touchdowns during his senior season.