FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris joked way back in training camp that cornerback Cobee Bryant was the most popular undrafted free agent he'd ever seen.
"I mean, my kids know him," Morris said in August. "It's unbelievable, all the stuff that he has and the accolades. But when you go back and watch the tape, you're not shocked that he's well known."
When Bryant went all seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft without finding a home, he was a hot commodity on the open market because of everything he did at the University of Kansas. That included earning three consecutive first-team all-conference selections — becoming the first player in Kansas history to do so. Oh, and he had 13 interceptions, too. Can't forget that.
Bryant signed with the Falcons shortly after the draft's conclusion. Several teams had offers on the table, but Atlanta was the place Bryant chose. In fact, the Falcons actually used one of their top-30 visits on him prior to the draft, an action they believe went a long way in Bryant's decision to join up.
He originally signed to the practice squad after cutdowns in August but was elevated to the active roster in November after the Falcons placed defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. on injured reserve.
Since then, Bryant's live reps have only grown. That figures to continue with starting cornerback Mike Hughes already ruled out of this Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Hughes suffered an ankle injury last Thursday against the Buccaneers. Bryant stepped into his vacated spot and had a big job on his hands: Matching up with Mike Evans on Thursday Night Football, a "soon-to-be Hall of Famer," per Morris.
"I think it is one of the coolest things in our game," Morris said.
The head coach called back to an earlier moment that showed him and the coaching staff that Bryant was ready for an opportunity.
He was called up with a standard practice squad elevation prior to the Carolina game in Week 11. With that opportunity, he came up with a big third-down stop in Atlanta territory that set up a turnover on downs in the third quarter.
"At that moment, you knew he could go up and be a producer, so to speak," Morris said.
Bryant got an extended chance to step in on Thursday night after Hughes went down in the first quarter and did not return. Given the frequency with which injuries occur in the NFL, this was a possibility the team discussed the night before the game.
"We had no idea it was going to turn out that way, but we talked about guys getting opportunities," Morris said, "and he certainly got his opportunity."
It was a tall task for the undrafted free agent as Baker Mayfield frequently targeted Bryant when he was in coverage against Evans. The pair connected on four passes for 102 yards when Evans was matched up against Bryant. It was as pure a 'Welcome to the NFL' moment as they come. And also a great learning experience for the self-confident Bryant.
Bryant's head coach was encouraged with how the young corner responded to the moment, even while acknowledging Evans is one of the best in the game and that everyone expected him to get his.
"He (showed) no fear, no blink," Morris said. "And I love the mentality that he has."
That is something worth building on, and it's something that could be built on sooner rather than later as the Falcons could turn to Bryant in the absence of Hughes.
Take a look at some of the best film photography from Week 15, when the Falcons went against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in the classic throwback uniforms.
